Catalina Micaela de Austria, Duchess of Savoy, "Portrayed in more than half-length, Catalina Micaela (1567-1597) wears an entirely black dress with lace collar and cuffs, inner sleeves of golden white and white ribbons. A double string of pearls, a necklace, worked golden buttons and a belt are her rich jewelry. As in other court portraits, she rests her hand on an armchair in allusion to her high birth, while the other holds a feminine object, in this case her gloves. This is Sanchez Coello's only portrait of the adult Infanta. Made shortly before she left for Savoy, it is one of the painter's most-valued works. A gradual abandonment of meticulousness, the free and loose brushstrokes clearly visible in the hair and headdress, and the range of colors used on the face all reveal Titian's influence. Some authors attribute this painting to Sofonisba Anguissiola." (Prado Gallery online), 1584-1585
Scope and Contents
Vanderbilt photo identifier: SC.MSS.088.SPAN.0075; Public Notes: Photograph #16041
Dates
- Creation: 1584-1585
Creator
- Alonso Sanchez Coello (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.
Biographical / Historical
Subjects: Catalina Micaela de Austria, Duchess of Savoy; Pearls; Portraits; Lace; Gold; Ribbons; Jewelry; School: Spanish; Technique: painting (technique); Work type: paintings
Full Extent
1 Items : Image Work Type: photographic print ; Image height (in.): 10; Image width (in.): 7.8in.
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Physical Description
Medium: oil paint; Physical condition: mounted; curling; buckling; stained; Print type: toned black and white; Support: canvas
General
Artist Nationality: Spanish; Artist Status: confirmed; Inscription author: artist; Inscription original text: IR; Inscription original text type: signature; Inscription position: Bottom Right; Inscription translation text type:
Source
- Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain (Repository, Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
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Requesting Materials
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