Portret van Anna van Oostenrijk before 1547

Cornelis Anthonisz. created this woodcut portrait of Anna of Austria some time in the first half of the 16th century. This image offers a glimpse into the complex political landscape of the time. Anna was Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria. The inscription surrounding her is in French, Dutch, and German, reflecting the multilingualism and interconnectedness of the European courts. As a print, this image would have served a propagandistic function, disseminating the image of a powerful ruler for political purposes. Prints like this one, often commissioned by the sitter, can be compared with other examples. Through such research, and by examining court records and diplomatic correspondence, historians can uncover a deeper understanding of the social and political conditions that shaped artistic production in the 16th century.