Mary, Queen of Scots 1828 - 1838

This is William Home Lizars' small print of Mary, Queen of Scots. Lizars, born in the late 1700s, worked during a time of immense social upheaval and romanticization of historical figures. The image captures Mary, a queen who was both powerful and ultimately, tragically vulnerable. The delicate details—her lace cap, the pearl earrings, and the ornate bodice—speak to her royal status, yet there's a softness in her gaze that hints at her personal struggles. Mary's story has always been a flashpoint, reflecting debates about female rule, religious conflict, and national identity. Lizars' portrait contributes to the ongoing narrative around Mary. As a queen in a tumultuous era, her life was fraught with challenges, often dictated by the men around her. She was a figure of both admiration and controversy, challenging the conventional roles ascribed to women of her time. This print allows us to reflect on the legacies of powerful women and the complex ways their stories are told and retold.