Portret van koningin Maria I Stuart, van Schotland 1763 - 1804

Carel Jacob de Huyser created this engraving of Queen Mary I Stuart of Scotland. The portrait presents her in regal attire, but it's the prominent axe beneath her image that demands our attention. The axe, a symbol of execution, speaks volumes about Mary's tragic end. This stark emblem echoes through history, reminding us of the brutal efficiency of power, seen from ancient Roman fasces to revolutionary guillotines. Its cold, sharp edge contrasts sharply with the delicate lace of Mary’s collar, a poignant juxtaposition of beauty and brutality. The axe evokes deep-seated fears and anxieties, reminding us of the precariousness of life and the ever-present threat of violence. It lingers in our collective memory, resurfacing in art and imagination, a chilling testament to the cyclical nature of power and its consequences. This symbol transcends time, its emotional resonance undiminished.