The portrait of Pietro Manna stands as a rare surviving testament to the skill of Lucia Anguissola, an Italian Mannerist painter active in Cremona during the mid-sixteenth century. Although she died at the age of twenty-nine, her contemporary reputation suggested a talent that arguably rivaled that of her eldest sister, the artist Sofonisba Anguissola.
Background and Training
Born in 1536 as the third of seven children to Amilcare Anguissola and Bianca Ponzoni, Lucia grew up in a household that prioritized humanist education and artistic development for its five daughters. Her father, a member of the Genoese minor nobility, fostered an environment where the sisters could pursue painting. Lucia primarily trained under the guidance of her sister Sofonisba, adopting similar techniques and stylistic approaches to portraiture.
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Created between 1557 and 1560, the portrait of Pietro Manna remains the only work signed with her full name. The signature, "Lucia Anguissola Amilcaris F[ilia] Adolescens F[ecit]," likely highlights her status as a developing artist. In the painting, the sitter holds a rod featuring a snake, a visual reference to the Anguissola family crest and its motto regarding the lone snake. Her use of a restricted palette of browns and greys underscores the personality of the sitter, evidenced by the articulation of his facial features and posture.
Self-Portrayal and Legacy
Lucia’s 1557 self-portrait depicts her in modest, elegant clothing, holding a book, with her right hand resting on her heart. This composition mirrors elements found in the work of Sofonisba, reflecting their shared upbringing. In addition to this self-portrait, she is documented in the 1555 painting The Chess Game, where she is positioned at the left of the board. Despite her brief career, her work was highly regarded by Giorgio Vasari and Filippo Baldinucci, the latter of whom noted her potential had her life not been cut short in 1565.
Fast facts
- Born: 1536, Cremona
- Died: 1565, Cremona
- Citizenship: Duchy of Milan
- Primary occupation: Painter
- Education: Humanist training
- Known works: Portrait of Pietro Manna, Self Portrait (1557)
Questions readers ask
Did Lucia Anguissola sign all her paintings?
No, the Portrait of Pietro Manna is the only work currently known to bear her full signature.
What is the significance of the snake in her portrait of Pietro Manna?
It serves as a visual pun on her family name, Anguissola, reflecting the family coat of arms and the motto concerning a victorious snake.
