Mary Queen of Scots, on the evening preceding her execution (from "The Eclectic Magazine," volume 48, frontispiece) 1859

John Sartain created this print of Mary Queen of Scots in the mid-19th century, a time when romanticized historical narratives were highly popular. But what does it mean to depict a powerful woman on the eve of her execution? This image encapsulates the complex intersections of gender, power, and tragedy. Mary, a Catholic queen in a Protestant land, faced political and religious conflict throughout her reign. Here, she is alone with her thoughts and faith, which offers a glimpse into her inner world as she contemplates her fate. Her quiet resilience speaks volumes about her strength in the face of imminent death. Sartain invites us to reflect on the personal dimensions of historical events, while prompting us to contemplate the ways in which women leaders have been, and continue to be, judged and remembered. This image becomes a poignant meditation on justice, memory, and the burden of leadership.