Portrait of Mariana of Austria 1671

Juan Carreno de Miranda painted this portrait of Mariana of Austria in oil. This image communicates much about the role of the monarchy, its cultural context, and the political function of royal portraiture in 17th-century Spain. The formal qualities of this portrait, such as the rigid pose and the subject's elaborate attire, align with the conventions of royal portraiture. Mariana’s identity as a figure of power is asserted through these codes. The visual language constructs the Queen as a symbol of dynastic stability. The portraits were tools of statecraft, designed to project an image of power, legitimacy, and continuity. To truly understand this image, we need to examine original sources, such as court documents, diplomatic correspondence, and period chronicles, that shed light on the creation and reception of royal portraits, and place this artwork within its historical and institutional context.