Mary, Queen of Scots 19th century

Edward Francis Finden created this engraving of Mary, Queen of Scots, sometime before his death in 1857. In it, Mary holds a crucifix and a book, traditional symbols of piety. A scene of her execution plays out in the background. This image speaks to a 19th-century British fascination with Mary as a tragic figure. To understand this, we can look at the complex politics of imagery. Mary was Catholic, and her claim to the English throne challenged the Protestant establishment. By Finden's time, the British monarchy was firmly Protestant. But the image is sympathetic, perhaps reflecting a romanticized view of the past, with the figure of Mary as a noble martyr. Engravings like this were widely circulated, shaping public opinion. To fully grasp its meaning, we might explore popular literature, political pamphlets, and the exhibition culture of the period. Art is not created in a vacuum, and this image is tied to political ideas, religious sentiment, and the social conditions of 19th-century Britain.