Double Marriage Portrait also known as Self-Portrait of Lavinia Fontana (Doble retrato de matrimonio—Autorretrato de Lavinia Fontana)

This small work features a portrait of a pair of newlyweds, with one on each side. Both are wearing their finery. The bride completes her elegant dress with ruby and pearl jewelry, while her spouse, in a doublet and black over-doublet, has a solemn stance and is accompanied by a small dog symbolizing loyalty.

The work is in the style of piccola pittura—small cabinet paintings completed as gifts for leading collectors or means of introduction to commissioners—that were developed in the Bolognese School. We find important examples of this type of painting from artists of such standing as the Carraccis, Guido Reni (1575–1642), Passerotti (1529–92), and Denis Calvaert (c.1540–1619). It is on deposit from the San Luis Royal Academy of Noble and Fine Arts (Real Academia de Nobles y Bellas Artes de San Luis) in Zaragoza.