Lavinia Fontana
This portrait has been reattributed to Lavinia Fontana, a highly sought-after portrait painter in the late 16th century. She received her artistic training alongside Agostino Carracci in her father Prospero's Bologna studio, despite being barred from enrolling in the Academy due to its emphasis on nude figure drawing.
Portrait of a Lady showcases Fontana's skillful brushwork, her expertise in rendering lace and jewelry, and her innate grasp of composition and form, influenced by her study of classical statuary. The portrayal of the hands, however, lacks the anatomical detail beneath the skin's surface. During this period, lap dogs were commonly included in portraits as symbols of marital fidelity, an essential virtue for a good wife.
These portraits primarily aimed not just to capture a faithful likeness but to convey the noblest facets of the subject's character. According to Bolognese noblewoman Lucrezia Marinella, men had various avenues to achieve success and honor, while women were limited to ornamentation and attire as indicators of accomplishment, paradoxically remaining under the ownership of their fathers or husbands. Fontana effectively served her subject's image by rendering these elements with meticulous care.
Lavinia Fontana is featured in our Women Artists 50 Postcards Set!
P.S. In times when not many women were able to make a career as artists, Lavinia Fontana definitely achieved remarkable success. Meet the painter of popes, nudes, and noblewomen!