Portret van Anna van Oostenrijk, koningin van Frankrijk c. 1642 - 1678

Nicolas de Larmessin I created this print of Anna of Austria, Queen of France. Born into the Habsburg dynasty, Anna’s marriage to Louis XIII was meant to consolidate relations between France and Spain, yet her position at court was precarious. This print exists within a larger history of portraiture, a genre that often served to reinforce the power and status of its subjects, particularly female figures whose likenesses were used to negotiate dynastic alliances. Here, Anna is framed by an ornate oval, emphasizing her elevated status. But in comparison to more elaborate depictions, this portrait presents a relatively modest representation of royalty. It raises questions about how female power was visually constructed and negotiated in the 17th century, reflecting both the grandeur and constraints of Anna’s role as Queen. The artist seems to be inviting us to consider the complex interplay of gender, power, and representation.