A formal seventeenth-century engraving by Nicolas de Poilly depicting Maria Theresa of Spain, Queen of France, rendered with precise line work and royal iconography.

This engraving by Nicolas de Poilly depicts Maria Theresa of Spain, who became the Queen of France through her marriage to Louis XIV. The portrait captures the formalised aesthetic of the seventeenth-century French court. The subject is presented within an oval frame, a common convention for royal portraiture of the period, which directs the viewer's attention to the sitter's features and status.

Poilly employs precise line work to render the textures of the Queen's attire. The lace collar is executed with particular attention to detail, showing the delicate patterns of the fabric against the darker background. Her hair is styled in the ringlets fashionable during the mid-seventeenth century, and she wears a simple pearl necklace and a jewelled brooch, which signify her royal position. The inclusion of the fleur-de-lis in the corners of the print reinforces the connection to the French monarchy.

As a printmaker, Poilly was skilled in translating the nuances of painted portraiture into the medium of engraving. The tonal variations are achieved through cross-hatching and varying the density of the lines, creating a sense of volume in the face and the folds of the clothing. This work functions as a historical record of the Queen's appearance shortly after her arrival in France. The inscription surrounding the oval frame identifies her titles, providing context for her role as both an Infanta of Spain and the Queen of France and Navarre. The print reflects the technical standards of the period, where the reproduction of royal images was essential for the dissemination of the monarch's image across the realm.