Barbara Strozzi was an Italian composer and singer of the Baroque Period. During her lifetime, Strozzi published eight volumes of her own music, and had more secular music in print than any other composer of the era. This was achieved without support from the Church or consistent patronage from the nobility.
The Viola da Gamba Player, c. 1630–1640, by Bernardo Strozzi, believed to be of Barbara Strozzi. It is unclear whether the painter is immediately related to the Strozzi family.
Title page of Diporti di Euterpe, Strozzi's Opus 7, consisting of 8 cantatas.
Anna de' Medici, Archduchess of Austria
Anna de' Medici was a daughter of Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and his wife Maria Maddalena of Austria. A patron of the arts, she married Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Further Austria in 1646. They were the parents of Claudia Felicitas of Austria, Holy Roman Empress.
Anna in circa 1630 by Medici court painter Justus Sustermans
Anna de' Medici in widow garb, c. 1666. Painted by Giovanni Maria Morandi.