SANCHEZ COELLO, Alonso
(b. 1531, Beifayo, d. 1588, Madrid)

Doña Juana, Princess of Portugal

c. 1557
Oil on canvas, 116 x 93 cm
Museo de Bellas Artes, Bilbao

The painting represents Doña Juana (1535-1573), sister of King Philip II, second daughter of Charles I and Elizabeth of Portugal. She married Don Juan Manuel, Prince of Portugal in 1553 but became widow one year later. In the absence of her brother she governed Spain between 1554 and 1559.

Sánchez Coello painted the princess many times. In this life-like version the Princess is about 22 years old. He portrays Doña Juana three-quarter length, dressed in black and fastening her veil with a brooch, bearing the picture of her brother the king –a symbol of her delegated power.