Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
This is however questionable as the copied likeness here is most probably another of many derivations of Nicholas Hilliard’s works.
It is accepted that the production of this portrait type actually grew from James 1st idea of rehabilitating his mother’s legacy in the early 17th century.
James 1st never knew his mother, but sought to suppress her poor reputation when he became king of England in 1603.
His succession to the throne depended on his descent from Mary, and to have her remembered as a flawed, if cunning political opportunist could only harm his position.
Portraits of the type were produced to elevate the memory of Mary into the status of a pious victim who was very much misunderstood and was martyred for the good of Scotland.
This portrait of Mary Queen Of Scots is thus produced after her death and is a portrayal of her in mourning, depicted wearing the prominent cross on a long chain and with no conspicuous jewellery.
The portrait aims to convey redemption as a record of her likeness. She spent most of her childhood in France while Scotland was ruled by regents, and in 1558, she married Francis the Dauphin of France.
Soon widowed, Mary returned to Scotland, arriving in Leith in 1561. Four years later, she married her first cousin, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and in 1566 they had a son, James.
Framed Measurements : 21 x 17 Inches
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Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
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* Reserved * Mary Queen of Scots After Nicholas Hilliard 18thc Oil Portrait Painting
