Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, 18th Century; After Federico Zuccari (C.1540-1609), Antique Oil on Canvas Painting

This impressive half-length portrait, painted during the eighteenth century, depicts the sitter wearing fine red drapery and standing in an interior holding a rose. Mary, Queen of Scots was one of the most fascinating and controversial monarchs of 16th century Europe. At one time, she claimed the crowns of four nations – Scotland, France, England and Ireland. Her physical beauty and kind heart were acknowledged even by her enemies. Yet she lacked the political skill and intuition to rule successfully in Scotland and was embroiled in marriages that ended in murder and scandal. She fled to England in 1568, hoping for the help of her cousin, Elizabeth I. Her presence was dangerous for the English queen, who feared Catholic plotting on Mary’s behalf. The two queens never met and Mary remained imprisoned for the next nineteen years. She was executed in 1587, only forty-four years old, by orders of the English government and all of her possessions were burned. In 1603, upon Elizabeth’s death, Mary’s son became king of England as James I and in 1612 he moved her body to a magnificent tomb in Westminster Abbey, London.

The image of Mary, Queen of Scots has intrigued historians, writers, poets, playwrights, and painters for centuries. Her tragic fate, a consequence of her tumultuous relationship with the last Tudor queen, resulted in her being one of the most memorable historical figures of the age. From a martyr to a siren to a traitor to a woman lacking dignity, representations of Mary Stuart remain wide and complex.

The inspiration for our painting originates from a painting of Mary, Queen of Scots previously attributed to Federico Zuccari (known as the ‘Carleton’ type of representation of Mary, after the first known owner of the original). The image became widely popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and as such, copies were made to meet this demand, some of which are fine works in their own right. Historians are now divided whether or not the image actually represents this sitter after all - nevertheless, our portrait is a meticulously detailed fine example from the period.

Held in a seventeenth century carved frame.

Measurements: Height 146cm, Width 109cm framed (Height 57.5”, Width 43” framed)

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