Queen Mary II
5 of 213 portraits by John Simon
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Queen Mary II
by John Simon, after Jan van der Vaart
mezzotint, circa 1690
13 3/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (340 mm x 251 mm) plate size; 13 3/4 in. x 10 3/8 in. (349 mm x 264 mm) paper size
Reference Collection
NPG D7767
Sitterback to top
- Queen Mary II (1662-1694), Reigned with William III 1689-94. Sitter associated with 97 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- John Simon (1675-1751), Mezzotint engraver. Artist or producer associated with 213 portraits.
- Jan van der Vaart (1647-1721), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 52 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D11531: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
- NPG D10667: Queen Mary II (based on same portrait)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1690back to top
Current affairs
William III, forced to leave England to fight in Ireland, empowers Mary II, through the Regency Act, to exercise authority in his absence. William, however, unwilling to rest power solely with Mary, appoints a council of nine statesmen directly answerable to the absent king.Art and science
Philosopher, John Locke, publishes An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding and Treatises on Government, in which he sets out his notion that human understanding is derived from experience.Naturalist, John Ray, publishes Synopsis methodica stirpium Britannicarum. It became the most consulted book for the classification of British plants.
International
William III lands in Ireland with an allied force of Protestant fighters from European states to fight French and Irish troops under James II. William's victory at the Battle of the Boyne forces James to flee into permanent exile.French defeat the English at the naval battle of Beachy Head.
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