Besides portraits and biblical scenes, Fede Galizia (Milan or Trent, ca. 1578 – Milan, 1630) produced mysteriously illuminated still-lifes. Owing to her innovative rendition of the space, she has been considered a pioneer in this genre of painting in which women artists would eventually make their mark.

Until fairly recently, Portrait of Prince Alessandro Farnese was not one of the paintings I would have made a beeline for when calling in the National Gallery of Ireland. And yet it was the one I went looking for when the gallery finally re-opened its doors to visitors.