Sofonisba Anguissola was in a very unique position. This is because her father, an upper-class nobleman, was actually encouraging and promoting her work. When this prestigious man presented Anguissola's work, people did not dismiss her as a mere young girl, but began to take in consideration her work. Not to mention, there were already new Renaissance ideas of feminism and equality being brought about in at the time. She was also in luck in the way that she lived in quite a northern part of Italy. People from overseas came to the dock on either side of Cremona, and often passed through to trade. Furthermore, it is also close to many other European countries, making trade, once again, much easier. Her geographical position enhanced her popularity and this was a large contribution to what made her the first internationally known female artist, as some would say.
The above map shows where Cremona, Italy is. As you can see, there are many neighbouring countries to trade with.
With the help of her father, Anguissola had the chance to succeed and be known. And that she did. She achieved popularity not just in Italy, but in many neighbouring countries as well. It is of common belief among historians that she is the first female artist to be well known internationally.
As she gained popularity, she also achieved recognition from several major artists of her time, most significantly, Michelangelo and Anthony Van Dyck. Impressively, for twenty years Anguissola served as a painter in the Spanish Court, Madrid. She became the Lady-in-Waiting, painting instructor and close friends with the third wife for Philip II of Spain.
In 1550, her art was praised and discussed in Lives of the Most Eminent Architect, Painters and Sculptors of Italy by Giorgio Vasari. Vasari noted that Anguissola had,
As she gained popularity, she also achieved recognition from several major artists of her time, most significantly, Michelangelo and Anthony Van Dyck. Impressively, for twenty years Anguissola served as a painter in the Spanish Court, Madrid. She became the Lady-in-Waiting, painting instructor and close friends with the third wife for Philip II of Spain.
In 1550, her art was praised and discussed in Lives of the Most Eminent Architect, Painters and Sculptors of Italy by Giorgio Vasari. Vasari noted that Anguissola had,
worked with deeper study and greater grace than any woman of our times at problems of design, for not only has she learned to draw, paint, and copy from nature, and reproduce most skillfully works by other artists, but she has on her own painted some most rare and beautiful paintings.”