Mary, Queen of Scots 1800 - 1850

This stipple engraving of Mary, Queen of Scots was made by James Hopwood in the late 18th or early 19th century. Its image is of the ill-fated Scottish Queen, who became a figure of romantic and political intrigue, and was eventually executed in England for treason. Prints like these were made to be widely disseminated and consumed and were important to the development of a visual culture. Hopwood was active in London at a time when printmaking was evolving from a trade-based practice into a respected art form, partly through the establishment of formal institutions like the Royal Academy. So, this print reflects a growing public interest in historical figures and events, but also the changing status of art and artists within British society. Art historical research relies on careful analysis of both images and the social conditions in which they are made.