Anne of Austria 1660

Robert Nanteuil’s engraving captures Anne of Austria, Queen of France, on a sheet measuring approximately 12 by 9 inches. Nanteuil, who was the official engraver to Louis XIV, demonstrates Anne's elevated status, creating an image that is both a portrait and a statement of power. Anne of Austria's identity as a woman in a position of power is front and center. The elegance in her attire is offset by the weight of the crown and royal symbols, alluding to both privilege and the burdens of leadership. She navigates the complexities of gender and power at a time of significant social change, as the Queen consort and mother of Louis XIV, she wielded considerable influence in the French court. Through Nanteuil’s skilled hand, we see more than just royalty; we witness the representation of a woman navigating the intricate web of politics, motherhood, and power in 17th-century France.