or Angosciola, four sisters, named Sofonisba, Lucia, Europa, and Anna Maria, distinguished painters, who flourished in the latter half of the sixteenth century. They were members of a noble and ancient family at Cremona. The merit of the younger sisters, though considerable, was eclipsed by that of Sofonisba, who ranks as one of the best portrait painters of that period. She also painted some small historical pieces, which are highly esteemed. She was born in 1533, and was twice married. In 1560, at the invitation of Philip II., she visited the Court of Madrid, where her portraits elicited great commendation. She was blind and infirm at the time of her death, which happened at Geneva in the 93d year of her age. Vandyke is said to have paid her the high compliment of declaring that he had derived more knowledge of the true principles of his art from the conversation of that blind woman than from any other source. She painted several fine portraits of herself, one of which is now at Althorp. (Vasari; Fuseli's Pilkington; Lanzi.)