Anna of Austria
After Queen Isabel’s death
in 1568, Philip wed Anna of
Austria. This 1573 portrait
was once attributed to Alonso
Sánchez Coello but is now
known to be by Sofonisba.
It reconciles beauty and
modesty, austerity and finery.
Prado Museum, Madrid
2. Isabel of Valois
Sofonisba painted this
portrait in the early 1560s.
The teenaged Queen Isabel
holds a small portrait of her
husband, Philip II. Her dress is
dark yet adorned with rubies
and diamonds that glitter
discreetly. Prado Museum,
Madrid
3. Isabella C. Eugenia
Experts disagree as to who
painted this portrait of Philip
and Isabel’s daughter. Dated to
1586, it postdates Sofonisba’s
departure from the court.
The style, however, does not
match that of the official
painter, Sánchez Coello. Prado
Museum, Madrid
34
King Philip II
Sofonisba’s 1565 portrait
originally depicted the king in
a wide, showy cape. In 1573
Queen Anna ordered it to be
repainted, to present Philip’s
dress austerely, as shown
here, and to complement her
own portrait (far left). Prado
Museum, Madrid
BRIDGEMAN/ACI ALBUM BRIDGEMAN ALBUM/ORONOZ
