The work of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz contains many examples of positive representations of the Queens of Spain and the Vicereines of New Spain. These poetic portraits serve to counter the primarily misogynistic portrayals of ruling women of the seventeenth century. Most importantly, Sor Juana increased the visibility of the vicereine in colonial society and described her as a representation of the Queen of Spain's body in colonial Mexico. Sor Juana actively advocated a more participatory role for the Vicereines, and consequently for women in general, in the public sphere of governance.