Mary, Queen of Scots (?) 1700 - 1750

Editor: So, here we have "Mary, Queen of Scots(?)," a drawing or print from somewhere between 1700 and 1750, attributed to Federico Zuccaro. It has such a formal, almost stoic feeling to it. I’m really struck by the incredible detail in her dress. What do you see in this portrait? Curator: The detail itself is intriguing. Look closely. The later date suggests this isn't a contemporary portrait, so we need to ask: What is this image meant to *do*? Images of Mary Queen of Scots carried a huge emotional and political weight. What symbols are emphasized here, and what do they signify about how she's being *remembered*, or perhaps even *rehabilitated*, by this later artist? Editor: The roses she’s holding? Roses are symbols of love but they could also symbolize secrecy. She seems to be keeping secrets in this portrait. Curator: Precisely! And note how the artist has rendered the Scottish symbols behind her. It's not just about identification, but a powerful statement of national and personal identity. Considering her history, how do those symbols change how we see the image? Does it complicate that stoic feeling you mentioned? Editor: Absolutely, it adds a layer of defiance. She's not just a queen; she's a symbol of Scotland, even in captivity, even after death. The artist is creating an icon. The symbols point toward a deliberate construction of identity, then. Thanks! Curator: Yes, and thinking about this as a print - how does the act of reproduction affect its symbolic meaning? It makes it more widely accessible and perhaps more impactful. I'm walking away today pondering just how much history a single image can carry and the degree to which those meanings shift across time.