Mary, Queen of Scots 18th century

This engraving of Mary, Queen of Scots, presents a study in contrasts, rendered in ink on paper. The oval portrait, framed by linear text, dominates the composition, immediately drawing our attention to the monarch. Below, a heraldic shield adds symbolic weight, creating a visual hierarchy where power and identity are meticulously constructed. Mary's likeness is captured with fine lines which define her features and regal attire, offering an insight into the semiotics of 16th-century sovereignty. The textured fur collar and ornate crown provide a tactile quality, a sign of status and material wealth. The artist uses the linear form to destabilize the traditional notions of royal portraiture. Rather than conveying grandeur through scale or color, the artist reduces her to a set of signs. This challenges the viewer to decode the complex relationship between representation and reality.