Image of Saint Anne, polycromed and gilded wood, 18th century.

Mother to the Virgin Mary, Saint Anne (Portuguese: Santa Ana) is a saint that has been the subject of immense veneration since the Middle Ages. Extolled as the model of perfect wife, her role as mother and educator to the Virgin Mary popularised her portrayal as Saint Anne the Mistress. The devotion to the saint is related to maternity, for she is regarded as being the protector of parturient women, new-borns and, along with Saint Joachim, she is also the patroness of grandparents. The sweet, tenderly expression of her gaze permeates her worshippers and entices any and all observers to attentively contemplate the image.
The altarpiece is completed with the depiction of the "Flight into Egypt" episode, a theme that reiterates the family values present in this altarpiece.