"this is one of six portraits first recorded in kensington palace in 1818 (rcin 403916, 404349, 406141, 406152, 406160 & 406782), all inscribed in french with the sitter’s identity in gold capitals (seeming to run behind the head) and apparently in the same script. The works are not of identical dimensions and are of very different quality, nor do their frames match. It would seem that they were brought together by an antiquarian collector (who was presumably french). They probably joined the royal collection through queen caroline, who also acquired a set of old english kings and their relations (rcins 402708, 402740, 403045, 404196, 404740, 404743-5, 404748-9). The group divides into two sets of three: one of semi-mythical queens from history (rcin 406152, 406160 & 406782) and one (to which this portrait belongs) dealing with the early history of the bourbon monarchy in france (rcin 403916, 404349, 406141). These three are united in theme – depicting henry iv of france, his mistress and (in this case) his daughter-in-law. This portrait is of slightly higher quality than the others in this set; it was hanging in the presence chamber at kensington palace in 1818, described as by antonis mor (an artist who died 24 years before the sitter’s birth) and as ‘indifferent’. Anne of austria was the daughter of philip iii of spain; in 1615 she married louis xiii (while still fourteen years old). In this portrait she is still wearing the fashions of her native spain, which she abandoned around 1619. It is possible that this portrait (or an original image from which it is copied) dates from these early years of her time in france. The queen is shown wearing richly embroidered dress with slashed sleeves, large white ruff, earrings and double-strand necklace of pearls; at breast large cruciform jewel, composed of sapphires and rubies with pendant pearls. The painting appears in pyne's illustrated 'royal residence' of 1819, hanging in the presence chamber at kensington palace (rcin 922150). " [1]. Date: 17th century. Dimensions: height: 56.9 cm (22.4 in); width: 50.6 cm (19.9 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Royal Collection.
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