ANGUSSOLA  or ANGUSSCIOLA, SOPHONISBA,

Italian portrait painter of the latter half of the 16th century, was born at Cremona about 1535, and died at Palermo in 1626 . In 156o, at the invitation of Philip II., she visited the court of Madrid, where her portraits elicited great commendation . Vandyck is said to have declared that he had derived more knowledge of the true principles of his art from her conversation than from any other source . She painted several fine portraits of herself, one of which is at Althorp . A few specimens of her painting are to be seen at Florence and Madrid . She had three sisters, who were also celebrated artists .