Mary, Queen of Scots 1647 - 1699

Claude Vignon made this print of Mary, Queen of Scots sometime between 1610 and 1670, using etching, engraving, and possibly some drypoint. It depicts Mary, Queen of Scots, against a background of her execution and a classical building. Vignon, a French artist, made this print long after Mary's execution in 1587. This allows us to see the image as part of a cultural phenomenon, one that continued to be relevant in the century after her death. The inclusion of both the execution scene and the classical building creates a juxtaposition between the violence of her death and the civilization she represented. It might be interesting to research the history of the building in the background. To understand this image further, we need to look at the political and religious context of the time. We can research the relationship between England and France, the history of the Scottish monarchy, and the role of women in power. By exploring these different avenues, we can gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of this print.