This Italian artist became the first female superstar of the Renaissance – I

After Queen Isabel’s death in 1568, Philip wed Anna of Austria. This 1573 portrait was once attributed to Alonso Sánchez Coello but is now known to be by Sofonisba. It reconciles beauty and modesty, austerity and finery.

Sofonisba painted this portrait in the early 1560s. The teenaged Queen Isabel holds a small portrait of her husband, Philip II. Her dress is dark yet adorned with rubies and diamonds that glitter discreetly.

Experts disagree as to who painted this portrait of Philip and Isabel’s daughter. Dated to 1586, it postdates Sofonisba’s departure from the court. The style, however, does not match that of the official painter, Sánchez Coello.

Sofonisba’s 1565 portrait originally depicted the king in a wide, showy cape. In 1573 Queen Anna ordered it to be repainted, to present Philip’s dress austerely, as shown here, and to complement her own portrait.