On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01139
- Author
- Sánchez Coello, Alonso (Spanish)
- Title
- Catalina Micaela de Austria, Duchess of Savoy
- Chronology
- Ca. 1585
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 111 cm x 91 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Portrayed in more than half-length,
Catalina Micaela 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.
