Nelli, Suora Platella

Nelli, Suora Platella an Italian paintress of a noble family, who devoted herself to religious as well as to secular art, was born at Florence in 1523. She became a nun in the Dominican Convent of St. Catherine at Florence, and without other assistance than a collection of designs by Fra. Bartolomeo di S. Marco, she attained considerable excellence in painting. Her productions are generally in the style of that artist, although she also imitated other masters. Among them are a picture of the Crucifixion, with a number of small figures finished; a Descent from the Cross, said to be after a design by Andrea del Sarto in the church of her order at Florence; and an Adoration of the Magi, of her own composition, possessing great merit. She died in 1588.