Henry Stewart (1546-67), Lord Darnley. Echtgenoot van Maria Stuart 17th century

This miniature painting portrays Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots, and was created by an anonymous artist. Born into Scottish nobility, Darnley’s life was deeply entangled with political and religious tensions of 16th century Europe. This intimate portrait provides insight into the visual culture surrounding figures like Darnley. The artist, while unknown, clearly operated within a courtly context, producing an image intended for circulation among elites. What does it mean to capture the likeness of someone so bound up in power struggles and personal drama? Darnley’s story—his marriage, his ambition, and violent end—invites us to reflect on the precariousness of power, and the ways in which identity is shaped by the tides of history. Consider how the creation and ownership of such a portrait served to solidify his identity within the Scottish court. It reflects not only an individual likeness, but also the complex interplay of gender, power, and representation in a tumultuous historical moment.