Portret van Maria II Stuart 1688 - 1726

This anonymous engraving portrays Mary II Stuart. The visual codes in this portrait speak volumes about the politics of imagery in late 17th-century England. The ornate frame, her elaborate gown, and of course, the royal coat of arms all perform the important work of legitimizing the monarchy. The work was likely produced during or shortly after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when Mary and her husband William of Orange took the throne. Given the upheaval of this time, images like this were crucial in constructing and maintaining royal authority, a way to broadcast her lineage and her right to rule. The symbolic language used here presents her not just as a woman, but as a figure of power, ordained by God, as indicated by the Latin inscription ‘Dei Gratia’. Historians can delve into period documents such as political pamphlets and personal letters to uncover the ever-shifting grounds upon which royal power stood. In this way, we discover how art is not just a mirror, but an active participant in the shaping of social and institutional realities.