'Queen Mary quitting Stirling Castle'

1 portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots

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© National Portrait Gallery, London

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'Queen Mary quitting Stirling Castle'

by William Luson Thomas, after Henrietta Mary Ada Ward
wood engraving, published by Illustrated London News 11 July 1863
9 3/4 in. x 13 3/4 in. (247 mm x 348 mm) paper size
Given by Marion Harry Spielmann, 1893
Reference Collection
NPG D13136

Sittersback to top

Artistsback to top

  • William Luson Thomas (1830-1900), Engraver and founder of the Graphic and the Daily Graphic. Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
  • Henrietta Mary Ada Ward (1832-1924), Historical genre painter; art teacher to the Royal family; wife of Edward Matthew Ward; mother of Sir Leslie Ward. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait, Sitter in 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The scene depicted here is of Mary leaving her child James in the care of the Earl of Mar at Stirling Castle in 1567. Although the Queen did not know it at the time, this was to be her last sight of her child, and the artist of the painting on which this print was based, Henrietta Ward, depicted Mary feeling a presentiment that she might not see James again. The painting, with a typical nineteenth-century combination of historical and domestic narrative, was exceptionally well received when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1863. This print was made as an illustration for the popular magazine

Placesback to top

Events of 1863back to top

Current affairs

The opening of the world's first underground railway, with the Metropolitan Railway running trains between Bishop's Street, Padington and Farringdon. Work had begun in 1860, using the 'cut-and-cover' method of construction. The Metropolitan line inspired the construction of other underground railways - the Parisian 'Metro' took its name from the line.
The Football Association is founded.

Art and science

Julia Margaret Cameron takes up photography, taking portraits of some of the most celebrated figures of the day, with her romantic style capturing the sense of nostalgia and longing that characterised the age.
Kingsley's Water Babies; A Fairy Tale for Children is published, the hugely popular tale of drowned chimney sweep Tom's moral education in the river world of the water babies. It inspired the 1978 film starring James Mason.

International

At an international conference, the Geneva Public Welfare Society calls on the sixteen nations present to form voluntary units to help the wartime wounded. The society, comprised of five Swiss citizens and led by Henri Dunant, who had been deeply affected by the casualties he had witnessed at the Battle of Solferino, became the National Red Cross Societies, adopting the emblem of a red cross on white background.

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