Claudia del Bufalo: new findings reveal life of 17th-century painter

Researchers in Oslo recently uncovered new details about Claudia del Bufalo, a 17th-century painter previously known for only one attributed work.

For two decades, art historians believed Claudia’s Portrait of Faustina del Bufalo was painted by a man named Claudio, due to the signature on the piece. However, investigations revealed Claudia was a poet and theatrical producer in Rome, and not a member of the established del Bufalo family despite sharing their name.

Evidence from court records suggests Claudia may have been involved in a murder case, accused of hiding her husband after he killed his brother. Researchers also found documentation indicating that at least two more paintings by Claudia del Bufalo likely remain undiscovered, possibly misattributed to “Claudio” over the years. Patrizia Cavazzini, a co-curator at the National Museum in Oslo, noted Claudia’s skill suggests she received formal training as a portrait artist.

The discoveries about del Bufalo are part of a larger exhibition at the National Museum in Oslo, opening October 8, 2026, that features 19 women painters from northern Europe and Italy working between 1550 and 1650. The exhibition also includes newly attributed works by Artemisia Gentileschi and Clara Peeters, demonstrating a wider range of artistic skills among women painters than previously understood.