Stroke by stroke, color by color, the past comes alive as a young woman in Lombardy, Italy trains to paint with the masters.

Will her ambition be too much for them? Or will she secure her place in the world of Renaissance art, despite them?

As Sofonisba struggles to make her name, the Spanish empire invades Italy.
With Michelangelo as her mentor and her father as her champion, Sofonisba dreams of painting the Spanish King.

In this novel of Royal intrigue and artistic toil, we see the soul of the painter come alive. We watch as Sofonisba struggles to realize her dreams against the backdrop of patriarchal Europe. When Royal tragedy unfolds, we learn the true strength of our heroine.

Romance, hardship, bankruptcy, and a legacy of hundreds of paintings that still influence today’s artists. An authentic story of what it was like to be a woman of ambition in the Renaissance.

History comes dramatically alive as we journey through the Renaissance with Sofonisba Anguissola.

What others are saying:

“Who was Sofonisba Anguissola?
No one knows her name, but thanks to Donna DiGiuseppe’s enthralling biographical novel, we can all learn the remarkable story of the Renaissance’s most successful female artist. Michelangelo recognized her genius; Vasari praised her talent. Caught up in court intrigues, family squabbles, and political upheavals, “Sofi” emerges as a full-bodied woman and sensitive artist who lived by her brush at a time when women’s only options were marriage or nunneries. Lady in Ermine elegantly weaves together rich historical details, finely etched characters and a compelling plot to create a vivid portrait of a talented woman who defied the conventions of her times. This romantic saga brings to life a long-overlooked page in history and is sure to delight lovers of Italy, art, and history.” – Dianne Hales,Author, Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered and La Bella Lingua