Mary, Queen of Scots 1784

This is an engraving of Mary, Queen of Scots, made by John Goldar in England, and published in 1784. It was designed as an illustration for Harrison's edition of Rapin's History of England. The image itself presents Mary in a dignified, yet somewhat softened manner. Consider the context: she was a controversial figure, a Catholic queen in a Protestant country, eventually executed for treason. This print, made centuries after her death, participates in the ongoing construction of Mary's image. The delicate lines of the engraving, the ornate frame, and the inclusion of her royal coat-of-arms all work to reinforce her status. The "History of England" frames her as a figure within a broader national narrative. To truly understand this image, we'd need to delve into the publication history of Rapin's history, and the social and political forces at play in late 18th century England. What purpose did it serve to re-circulate images of Mary? Art is always embedded within layers of social and institutional context.