Historical context
Daughter of the 8th Duke of Medina Sidonia, Luísa de Gusmão was born in Spain and married the future King João IV of Portugal in 1633. Despite her Spanish origins, she supported the restoration of Portuguese independence in 1640. The mother of Catherine of Braganza, Queen of England, and of Kings Afonso VI and Pedro II of Portugal, she served as Regent of Portugal from 1656 to 1662, following her husband's death.
Description
Formal portrait of Queen Luísa de Gusmão, depicted standing in a dark gown with a lace collar and cuffs, and wearing a long jewelled adornment. Against the dark background, the Portuguese royal coat of arms appears in the upper left corner, surmounted by a crown and accompanied by an inscription identifying the sitter.