Mary, Queen of Scots 1839

This engraving of Mary, Queen of Scots, was created by John Whessell, an English artist, in the late 18th or early 19th century. Whessell’s print offers insight into the enduring fascination with Mary, Queen of Scots, long after her execution in 1587. The image is based on earlier portraits of Mary, and it participates in a visual culture that helped shape perceptions of her as a tragic figure. Note the cross pendant she wears, a clear statement of her Catholic faith, which was a defining aspect of her identity and a source of conflict during her reign. Whessell made this print in England, the very country that imprisoned and executed her. To fully appreciate the layers of meaning in this image, one could delve into the history of portraiture, religious conflicts in Europe, and the complex relationship between England and Scotland. Such research reveals the power of images to shape historical narratives and perpetuate cultural memory.