Mary, Queen of Scots 1655

This engraving of Mary, Queen of Scots, was made by Richard Gaywood in England around 1653. The image presents us with a vision of monarchy that's caught between divine right and public opinion. The visual codes of royalty are clear: the crown, the formal dress. But consider the context. Mary had been executed in 1587, decades before this print was made. England was still grappling with the fallout of the Reformation and the role of the monarchy. This image, therefore, isn't just a portrait; it's a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. Is Gaywood celebrating a fallen Catholic queen, or is he reminding viewers of the dangers of Catholic rule? To understand this fully, we need to delve into the print's production and reception. Who commissioned it? Who bought it? What did they believe? Historical records and studies of print culture can offer valuable insights. Art is never created in a vacuum. It's always part of a wider social and political landscape.