The Chess Game by Sofonisba Anguissola

 The artist who painted The Chess Game in 1555 was an Italian woman.  I wonder if she was happy with her first name???  Do you know whether it is a common Italian name?

Very unusually for the times her father educated all his 7 children – including the girls. 

This is the artist's most famous painting – and I can see why.  The painting is of 3 of her sisters plus an older woman who was a servant or chaperone.  Chess was considered to be a game for men – so that too was unusual.  I love the impishness of the younger girl as she watches her older sisters play.