LESSER KNOWN CELEBRITY-Celebrating a Neglected Italian Renaissance “Paintress”

Sofonisba Anguissola (1535?-1625) was an Italian Renaissance painter born in Cremona. An internationally respected Renaissance portrait and genre artist, Sofonisba Anguissola thrived as a professional painter in a male-dominated milieu. She received a well-rounded education that included the fine arts, and her apprenticeship with local painters set a precedent for women to be accepted as art students. As a court painter to Philip II of Spain and art instructor to Queen Isabella of Valois, Anguissola was serious in her pursuit of the liberal arts. This presentation will explore her incredible expertise as an artist, along with her intellectual intelligence, determination and independent spirit. A collaborative presentation by Dr. Snjiezana Smodlaka, Prof. Louis Leonini and Mr. Louis Barrella