Nederlaag van Maria, koningin van Schotland, tijdens de slag bij Langside 1794

William Ward's aquatint engraving depicts the defeat of Mary, Queen of Scots, at the Battle of Langside. Here, the pointing figure is most prominent. From antiquity, we see rulers portrayed giving directions or commands. This motif of leadership is charged with psychological power, suggesting authority and control. Yet, consider how this gesture shifts when seen in Renaissance art. Take Leonardo's "John the Baptist," where pointing signifies divine knowledge and revelation. Does the pointing figure in Ward’s image symbolize the demise of queenship? Perhaps the figure questions our conventional understanding of power. Observe this symbol's non-linear progression, as its meanings evolve through changing contexts and cultural shifts. The pointing may suggest loss of power, with emotional and psychological intensity engaging viewers on a subconscious level.