Closet of Mary, Queen of Scots, Holyrood Palace, from which Rizzio was dragged and murdered 1837

Samuel Dukinfield Swarbreck's 1837 "Closet of Mary, Queen of Scots, Holyrood Palace, from which Rizzio was dragged and murdered" is a detailed depiction of the historical room where the Italian musician, David Rizzio, was assassinated in 1566. Swarbreck captures the room's dilapidated state, highlighting its significance as a place of violence. The viewer is drawn into the scene through the use of perspective and light, with a glimpse of the palace grounds beyond the doorway. The artwork is a poignant reminder of a tragic historical event and a testament to the enduring power of art to preserve the past.