Mary, Queen of Scots 1803

This print of Mary, Queen of Scots, was made by Francesco Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver working in London in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It demonstrates how images of historical figures were mobilized to create cultural meaning in his time. Bartolozzi's print revives the image of a controversial figure from the 16th century. Mary Stuart was a Catholic queen in a majority Protestant country who was eventually executed for treason. Here, she is presented with the symbols of nobility, like fine lace and jewelry. This idealized representation may have appealed to British citizens interested in the history of royalty. This print testifies to a growing interest in historical portraiture in late 18th century Britain. If you want to understand how Bartolozzi's print participates in the social and political dimensions of art, you might investigate the popular fascination with royalty by consulting historical archives and museum collections.