Anne of Austria (1601–1666)

This portrait of Anne of Austria from 1651, now at the Cooper Gallery, depicts the Queen Mother who served as regent during Louis XIV's minority from 1643 to 1651. Champaigne painted Anne multiple times throughout her life, documenting her transformation from young queen to powerful regent to devout widow. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays restrained, almost penitential palette, penetrating psychological realism in portraiture, architectural clarity in religious compositions, complete absence of Baroque theatrical excess.

The mature queen is presented with regal dignity, the rich costume rendered with Flemish precision while the face shows the marks of age and authority with Champaigne's characteristic naturalism.