A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Fontana, (Lavinia)

by Mary Matilda Betham

FONTANA (LAVINIA), an Italian Painter and Statuary of great Excellence, Daughter and Disciple of Prospero, a Painter at Bologna, Born 1552.

Her colouring was so soft and sweet, that she was much sought after to draw portraits of ladies. After having worked in public and private, she went to Rome, where she served Gregory XIII. and the noble family of Boncompagni, who all protected and encouraged her. Amongst other paintings, she made one of the Stoning of St. Stephen, with figures larger than life, which was placed in the church of St. Paul, in the environs of Rome, where she died at the age of fifty, celebrated by orators and poets. She is said, in statuary, to have surpassed even the famous Propertia de Rossi.

Abecedario Fittorico, Father Feejoo.