FONTANA, Lavinia
(b. 1552, Bologna, d. 1614, Roma)

Portrait of a Notary

1583
Oil on canvas, 98 x 82 cm
Private collection

The identity of the sitter, portrayed holding a letter next to a writing desk with an inkwell and pen, is unknown. The austere formatting and the compositive rigour belong to the portraiture type Fontana developed.

The painting is signed and dated: LAVINIA FONTANA DE / ZAPPIS FACIEBAT / MDLXXXIII. As was customary, Fontana linked her husband last name (Zappi) to her own.