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Notes

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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.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Portrait of a Lady with a Dog

Date

late 16th C

Medium

Oil on wood

Measurements

H 83.8 x W 70.5 cm

Accession number

NG3817

Acquisition method

Presented by Sir Henry Howorth through The Art Fund, 1923

Work type

Painting

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Italian School

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