Diane d'Andouins was the daughter of Paul d'Andouins, Count of Louvigny and his wife Anne-Marguerite de Cauna. She married, in 1568, Philibert de Gramont and they had two children. She met King Henri IV in 1582 and became one of his many mistresses, though she also became and remained one of his most influential counsellors and political allies even after their affair ended.
The sitter also bears a certain resemblance to another of King Henri IV's mistresses, Gabrielle d'Estrées.