Mary Queen of Scotts Under Confinement (called Mary, Queen of Scots)
1 portrait by Robert Fulton
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Mary Queen of Scotts Under Confinement (called Mary, Queen of Scots)
probably by William Ward, probably after Robert Fulton
mezzotint, published 1793
19 7/8 in. x 14 in. (505 mm x 355 mm) plate size; 22 7/8 in. x 17 1/4 in. (580 mm x 439 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D13125
Sitterback to top
- Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), Reigned 1542-67. Sitter associated with 151 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Robert Fulton (1765-1815), Engineer and artist. Artist or producer associated with 4 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
- William Ward (1766-1826), Engraver; father of William James Ward. Artist or producer associated with 170 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This fanciful scene of Mary's confinement (perhaps at Fotheringhay Castle, in the final stage of her long imprisonment in England) is typical of eighteenth-century scenes of episodes in her life, both in the artist's choice of subject matter and in his disregard of authentic portraits in constructing his image of Mary. His priority is to convey an impression of a suffering and beautiful heroine, and to stir sympathetic and pitying emotions within the viewer.
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Mary, Queen of Scots: Fact and Fiction (24 August 2002 - 5 May 2003)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1793back to top
Current affairs
Whig MP Charles Grey enters a motion for parliamentary reform but is defeated in the House of Commons.Art and science
Radical philosopher William Godwin publishes Political Justice, an inflamatory document that promoted rational anarchism. This crystallised a wider feeling that a new era of world peace and progress was beginning.Sir William Beechey is appointed Portrait Painter to her Majesty, Queen Charlotte.
International
Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette are executed and the Reign of Terror begins.France declares war on Britain, Holland and then Spain. William Pitt addresses the House of Commons and Britain hesitantly joins the first coalition of anti-revolutionary European states to oppose the French threat.
Attack on Corsica in which Captain Horatio Nelson loses an eye.
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