Self-Portrait by Sofonisba Anguissola (1600)

A leading portraitist – women weren't common in the field.  She was a noble so that probably helped her succeed.  She was a court painter for the Queen of Spain.  Anguissola was Italian rather than Spanish.

It seems to me to be a soft somewhat sympathetic but also realistic depiction of herself.  I hate looking at photos of myself.  I can't imagine trying to paint myself.

My attention was drawn to this work by a huge doorstop of a book I got from the library – The Art Book from Phaidon Press.  Get it out if you have strong enough muscles.   There are 579 pages, each dedicated to one work by an artist.  The artists are in alpha order so you get interesting juxtapositions between modern art and old masters.