Mary, Queen of Scots (from "Modes et Costumes Historiques Étrangers," plate 21) 1865 - 1875

Hippolyte-Louis-Émile Pauquet made this print of Mary, Queen of Scots. The symbols of royalty and religious devotion intertwine, telling a story of power, faith, and tragedy. Notice the crucifix hanging from her neck, a potent emblem of her Catholic faith, which was both a personal conviction and a political declaration in the Protestant-dominated Scotland and England of her time. Recall how, since antiquity, the cross evolved from a symbol of suffering to one of redemption and divine power. Its presence here connects Mary to a lineage of martyrs and saints, imbuing her image with a sense of both vulnerability and spiritual authority. Consider also the dark fabric of her dress and cape, set against the stark white of her collar and veil, a stark visual contrast that mirrors the light and dark aspects of her life—the opulence of her royal status juxtaposed with the somber realities of imprisonment and eventual execution. These symbols evoke a sense of pathos. The enduring fascination with Mary, Queen of Scots, lies in this complex interplay of faith, power, and the poignant drama of her life, a drama that continues to resonate through the ages.