19

the surfaces and at the same time meticulous in the, almost »northern«, rendering
 of the natural world. On the occasion of its presentation in the Stallburg the
size of the painting was altered along the upper and lower edges, and it was exhibited
 as a pendant to Spranger’s self-portrait.

(fig.

6) The same attribution was
retained in subsequent

inventories48

until corrected by Friederike Klauner, who
recognised the painter and identified the figure

portrayed.49

Conclusion

Bianca Cappello was a person who aroused much discussion about herself,
not only in life, and she is still able to attract our interest through the analysis of
her portrait.

As the development of the painting, its history and reception have gradually
been reconstructed, it has become evident that Pulzone’s work, thanks to his
particular stylistic characteristics, his meticulous rendering of detail and his refined
 execution combined with a simple naturalness, fully achieved its purpose.
The portrait conveys the features of a woman who is not beautiful, but has the
expression of someone aware of her own abilities and condition and resolute in

Fig. 6: Ferdinand A. Storffer, Neu Eingerichtetes Inventarium der Kaiserl. Bilder Gallerie
in der Stallburg, vol. III, 1733, fol. 6-7