An Unknown Woman formerly called Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1587) (after an Unknown artist)
Henry Shaw (London 1800 – Broxbourne 1873)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
1882
Materials
Chromo-lithograph on paper
Measurements
242 x 178 mm
Order this imageCollection
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
NT 355479
Summary
Chromo-lithograph on paper, An Unknown Woman formerly called Mary, Queen of Scots by Henry Shaw (London 1800 – Broxbourne 1873), 1882. A three-quarter-length portrait, turned slightly to her right. Wearing embroidered robe with dark bodice and over-skirt, with lace ruffs at neck and wrists, holding gloves in right hand and a rosary in left hand. A Scottish castle in background top right. A nineteenth-century colour print from Strawberry Hill after a painting in the National Portrait Galley. Label on frame 'Mary, Queen of Scots', 'AD 1506'. This portrait once considered to represent Mary, Queen of Scots, bears no similarity to known portraits of Mary. The ornate costume and abundant jewellery indicate that this is a woman of great status. The gloves and jewels, commonly given as betrothal gifts, indicate this was a marriage portrait. She is set against a landscape and the objects may have symbolic significance. The jewel at the woman's neck shows Venus (goddess of love) and Cupid, and the matching jewelled cases in the woman's left hand and at her breast show a classical column set against a wheel of fortune, which symbolises endurance.
Provenance
From Strawberry Hill. After a painting in the possession of the Scottish historian Patrick Fraser Tytler, now in the National Portrait Gallery.
Makers and roles
Henry Shaw (London 1800 – Broxbourne 1873)