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Italian, 'Portrait of a Lady with a Dog', late 16th century

About the work

Overview

This unknown lady stands beside a table covered with an expensive Ottoman carpet on which her small dog is lying. Her hands rest affectionately on the little dog’s back, while its paw lies on the inside of her arm. Dogs were often included in portraits to symbolise the sitter’s faithfulness, which may be the case here.

The lady’s clothes suggests a date in the late sixteenth century, and that she is a noblewoman. Her sober black gown covers an expensive white silk costume that is closed with elaborate gold buttons and thick gold chains and decorated with gold embroidery or braid.

The portrait is probably North Italian, and was formerly attributed to Sofonisba Anguissola. The painting shows some similarities to the style of Bartolomeo Passarotti, who worked mainly in Bologna.

Key facts

Details

Full title
Portrait of a Lady with a Dog
Artist
Italian
Date made
late 16th century
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
83.8 × 70.5 cm
Acquisition credit
Presented by Sir Henry Howorth through the Art Fund, 1923
Inventory number
NG3817
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Previous owners

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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