Mary, Queen of Scots

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching, created in the late 18th or early 19th century by Thomas Milton, presents a portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots. Though the Scottish monarch lived two centuries earlier, her dramatic life and tragic execution continued to captivate artists and audiences long afterward. The small scale of the print—just 4¾ by 2¾ inches—suggests it may have been intended for inclusion in books or personal collections, allowing viewers intimate access to the queen’s image. Etching, a printmaking technique prized for its fine lines and expressive detail, was especially popular during this peri...