Mary, Queen of Scots

Art Historical Context

This mid-18th-century etching and engraving by Robert Strange presents a dignified portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots, capturing her as both monarch and enduring historical figure. Created long after her lifetime, the print reflects the period’s renewed interest in Stuart royalty and the romanticized view of Mary’s dramatic story. As the sixth and final state of the plate, it demonstrates the careful refinements engravers made to achieve greater detail and tonal depth. The compact plate size invites close inspection, revealing the fine lines and cross-hatching characteristic of combined etching and engraving techniques. Such prints played an important role in disseminating royal imagery to a broader public, allowing viewers to connect with celebrated women of the past. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of drawings and prints, this work continues to highlight the artistry and cultural significance of historical portraiture.