Rue des Fontenelles has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
The canvas is mounted in a quality black and gilt frame and there is a small restoration on the rear of the painting. There is also an old damaged hand written label on the top of the frame which is difficult to decipher.
The painting could be after Nicholas Hiliard and shows her beauty and depicts her in a demure pose. She is wearing her traditional clothes and possibly mourning clothes. Some of the portraits of her are known as the Sheffield Portraits, which were done when she was in captivity. However, she looks young in this depiction of her and could be from her period whilst in France.
Mary was brought up with the children of King Henri II of France in magnificent royal palaces, and became very close to Princess Elizabeth. Mary learned to speak French, Italian, Spanish and Latin. She was also taught to sew, write poetry and to play musical instruments. Mary married the fourteen year-old Dauphin Francis in Notre Dame Cathedral, in 1558 in Paris - she was only fifteen.. A year later, King Henri died, and Mary became Queen of Scotland and France. However, her reign of France was brief, for in 1560 Francis became ill and died. The crown passed to his younger brother.
It was when Mary’s mother (who had ruled Scotland as regent) had died in 1560, that she returned to Scotland in 1561. On 18 August, she sailed into Leith. Dressed in mourning, Mary then travelled to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a grand procession, where the way was lined with a cheering crowd.
Dimensions - 70 cm x 56 cm
Rue des Fontenelles has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
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Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots - Antique Oil Painting
