Study for the Dean in the ‘Execution of Mary Queen of Scots’ c. 1840

Editor: This is Ford Madox Brown’s 'Study for the Dean in the Execution of Mary Queen of Scots’, currently at the Tate. The Dean’s expression is so intense! What do you see in his face? Curator: The furrowed brow and tightly pursed lips certainly convey a profound disapproval. Consider the light – how it catches the apex of the skull, drawing our eye to the very thought process itself. Editor: So the artist uses light to highlight his internal struggle? Curator: Precisely. The chiaroscuro creates a dramatic contrast, emphasizing the tension within the figure. Notice, too, how the brushstrokes themselves are quite visible, adding to the overall sense of unease. Editor: I hadn’t noticed the brushwork so much, but it does add to the intensity. I'll be more aware of that in other works now. Curator: It is through such careful attention to form that we truly apprehend the artist’s intent.