Mary, Queen of Scots and Francis II 1825 - 1875

Alexandre Lacauchie made this lithograph of Mary, Queen of Scots and Francis II in France sometime in the mid-19th century. But why make an image of these long-dead royals in 19th century France? The answer lies in the turbulent political history of France itself. The 19th century saw the rise and fall of monarchies and republics, each with its own vision of French identity. Historical figures like Mary and Francis became symbols in these debates. Mary, with her tragic story and Catholic faith, could be used to evoke nostalgia for a romanticized, royalist past, a way to critique the present. The image of the royal couple references the political instability of the past, and acts as a reminder of the need for strong leadership. To understand this print fully, we can look into the illustrated press of the time and the revival of historical styles in art and fashion. In doing so, we can better understand the image’s role in the visual culture of 19th century France.