Full Record |
| Title |
Anne of Austria, Queen of France, Consort of Louis XIII |
| Collection |
Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle |
| Artist |
Attributed to circle of Beaubrun, Charles (French, 1604-1692) |
| Date Earliest |
probably about 1630 |
| Date Latest |
probably about 1666 |
| Description |
Anne of Austria (1601-1666), the daughter of Philip III of Spain, was married to Louis XIII in 1615. Neglected by her husband and surrounded by Spanish ladies-in-waiting she continued to live according to Spanish etiquette until she eventually got closer to her husband throught the intervention of the duc de Luynes. In 1635 France declared war against Spain, placing the queen in an untenable position. Because of her correspondence with her brother Philip IV she was suspected of treason. In 1638 Anne gave birth to the future Louis XIV. She became Regent when Louis XIII died, and with Cardinal Mazarin as prime minister, she reigned until 1651, when her son came of age. |
| Current Accession Number |
B.M.243 |
| Former Accession Number |
No. 2 |
| Subject |
portrait (Anne of Austria) |
| Measurements |
115.4 x 99.5 cm cm (estimate) |
| Material |
oil on canvas |
| Acquisition Details |
Bequeathed by the founders John and Joséphine Bowes 1885. |
| Notes |
This was listed as no. 2 in John Bowes 'catalogue, under the title 'Portrait of Anne of Austria - Wife of Louis XIII, French School, seventeenth century'. This is attributed to the circle of Charles and Henri Beaubrun. They were cousins and worked together extensively. The Beaubrun family had held positions in the royal court, and were well regarded by Louis XIV, whose portrait they had painted when he was a baby. They also painted a portrait of his son as an infant. The King commissioned a number of portraits of ladies of the court, and in 1638 the English ambassador invited the Beaubruns to paint a portrait of Anne of Austria. They were also in charge of organising court festivals, and as such painted temporary decorations for the arrival of honoured guests. |
| Rights Owner |
The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham |
| Author |
Dr Maylis Hopewell-Curie |
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