The last meal of Mary, Queen of Scots 1835 - 1845

Charles Bour created this print, "The Last Meal of Mary, Queen of Scots," during the 19th century, a period marked by intense nationalism and romanticized historical narratives. The image depicts Mary Stuart, the Catholic Queen of Scotland, at her last meal before her execution, a scene ripe with political and religious tension. Bour's print encapsulates the Victorian-era fascination with tragic female figures. Mary is shown in a moment of quiet dignity and piety, kneeling in prayer. The print does more than depict a historical event; it constructs an emotionally charged narrative around gender, power, and martyrdom. The men around her are stoic in the face of her imminent death, a stark contrast which plays into the narrative of a woman being sacrificed to a larger political game. Consider how Bour portrays Mary, not as a ruler embroiled in political conflict, but as a woman facing her death with grace. It invites us to reflect on how gender and power intersect and shape our understanding of history.