Brief Biography-Sofonisba Anguissola came from Cremona Italy. Her five sisters were also artists, Sofonisba being the most successful. She met Michelangelowhen she visited Rome, who introduced her to the Spanish Nobility. In Madrid, she became a lady-in-waiting to the Queen and later was appointed court painter to the King. Her paintings mainly consisted of portraits. She retired with her second husband to Palermo, Sicily, where Van Dyck visited her; he greatly admired her work. She died in Palermo in 1625. Anguissola was the first female artist to gain international fame, followed by Artemisia Gentileschi 1593-c. 1656.