Sofonisba Anguissola (Cremona ?1530/6-1625)

Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641). Oil painting on panel, Sofonisba Anguissola (1530/6-1625) by Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641), 1624. A head-and-shoulders portrait of an old woman, turned slightly to the left, gazing to the left, wearing a black dress and white linen veil over her head. This portrait closely resembles the pen drawing, dated 12 July 1624 in Van Dyck's Italian Sketchbook (British Museum) of the Italian artist Sophonisba Anguissola at the age of 96. Previously it was known as Catherine Fitzgerald, Countess of Desmond (d. 1636). Framed. Knole, Kent (Accredited Museum)