She was born in 1666 to Miguel de Santiago, a mestizo, and Andrea Cisneros y Alvarado, who was Spanish.

She specialized in oil paintings of the childhood of the Virgin and of the baby Jesus, adorned with flowers and animals.

A contemporary writer, Francisco Javier Antonio, complimented the likeness, attributing its accuracy to Ide Cisneros having met Juana de Jesus several times.

[3] This work is the only securely attributed painting to her, but unfortunately it has not survived, and there only remains a copy at the convent of Santa Clara in Quito.

[1] Juana "looks incredibly Quiteña with a long nose, a subdued smile, a narrow face, and delicate hands".