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Presentation of the book ‘Il destino di Sofonisba’ (The Destiny of Sofonisba) by Chiara Montani
11 December 2025 @ 18:00
Presentation of the book Il destino di Sofonisba (The Destiny of Sofonisba), in the presence of the author, Chiara Montani. Event curated by Enrica Perilio, museum services curator, in conversation with art historians Michela Fasce and Martina Panizzutt.
‘You see, Sofonisba, if you had been born a man, I would have done everything to have you in my workshop… even at the risk that your light would end up overshadowing me. You don’t really need me, or anyone else. The gift you possess has always been within you like a rare gem, rough but already perfect.’
Cremona, 1546.
Sofonisba Anguissola is little more than a child when she recognises the only thing that can truly make her happy: painting. Hers is not just a talent, it is an overwhelming passion; she does not want to fill her eyes with art, she wants to create it. Although her era is not at all generous to enterprising women, the nobleman Amilcare Anguissola decides not to frustrate his daughter’s aspirations by allowing her to take private lessons, on condition that she does not go to the workshop, does not come into contact with the other apprentices, and is excluded from geometry, perspective and anatomy. Sofonisba was thus able to push her ambition beyond what she would ever have believed possible. Despite the many limitations, she immediately proved capable of capturing on canvas the deepest emotions and movements of the soul of those she portrayed. It is something that cannot be taught, a natural talent combined with an almost absolute mastery of the elusive world of pigments, oils and resins. Her extraordinary gift took her far from her native Cremona to Milan and then to Habsburg Spain, where she became, albeit unofficially, a court painter. But every success leaves its mark, as does every battle fought to gain recognition for a role traditionally reserved for men. Adverse circumstances forced Sofonisba to give up the great love of her life, and the Spanish monarch Philip II forced her into a marriage of convenience. However, nothing in her long life ever distracted her from her greatest work of art: the construction of her destiny as a free artist, which the passing of the centuries has not diminished.
Sofonisba Anguissola is little more than a child when she recognises the only thing that can truly make her happy: painting. Hers is not just a talent, it is an overwhelming passion; she does not want to fill her eyes with art, she wants to create it. Although her era is not at all generous to enterprising women, the nobleman Amilcare Anguissola decides not to frustrate his daughter’s aspirations by allowing her to take private lessons, on condition that she does not go to the workshop, does not come into contact with the other apprentices, and is excluded from geometry, perspective and anatomy. Sofonisba was thus able to push her ambition beyond what she would ever have believed possible. Despite the many limitations, she immediately proved capable of capturing on canvas the deepest emotions and movements of the soul of those she portrayed. It is something that cannot be taught, a natural talent combined with an almost absolute mastery of the elusive world of pigments, oils and resins. Her extraordinary gift took her far from her native Cremona to Milan and then to Habsburg Spain, where she became, albeit unofficially, a court painter. But every success leaves its mark, as does every battle fought to gain recognition for a role traditionally reserved for men. Adverse circumstances forced Sofonisba to give up the great love of her life, and the Spanish monarch Philip II forced her into a marriage of convenience. However, nothing in her long life ever distracted her from her greatest work of art: the construction of her destiny as a free artist, which the passing of the centuries has not diminished.
THE AUTHOR
Chiara Montani was born in Milan. After graduating in Architecture, she worked in the world of design and graphics. She specialises in art therapy and loves to devote herself to art, which is also the main subject of her literary works. She has published a trilogy with Garzanti (Il mistero della pittrice ribelle, La ritrattista, L’artista e il signore di Urbino) and Enigma Tiziano. She is also the author of Ciò che una donna può fare (UTET), a history of art from a female perspective. Her books have been translated into French and Spanish.
Link to the book: https://neripozza.it/libro/9788854533769
