Mary, Queen of Scots

Art Historical Context

In the Prints collection of The Metropolitan Museum of, this striking mezzotint portrait, titled *Mary, Queen of Scots* (October 1828), captures the enduring fascination with one of history's most enigmatic monarchs. Created by printmakers Thomas Hodgetts William Fletcher—possibly after an original design attributed to Mary herself—the image honors the 16th-century queen consort of France and ruler of Scotland. Mary's dramatic life, marked by political intrigue, imprisonment, and her execution in 1587 on orders of Elizabeth I, has inspired countless artists, making her a symbol of tragedy and resilience in Romantic-era Britain. Mezzotint, a technique pioneered in the 17th century, shines here through its signature velvety tones and luminous highlights, achieved by scraping a roughened copper plate to create soft gradations ideal for expressive portraits. Measuring 12 × 9 inches on the plate, this intimate work exemplifies the medium's popularity for reproducing regal likenesses with dramatic depth and emotional intensity. Gifted to the Met in 1958 by Susan Dwight Bliss, it invites visitors to ponder Mary's legacy as a cultured patron of the arts, amid whispers of her own needlework talents. (198 words)