'Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots'

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© National Portrait Gallery, London

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'Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots'

by John Dadley, published by Thomas Kelly, after Robert Smirke
line engraving, early 19th century
10 7/8 in. x 7 3/8 in. (275 mm x 188 mm) paper size
Given by Marion Harry Spielmann, 1893
Reference Collection
NPG D13132

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • John Dadley (1767-1817), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
  • Thomas Kelly (active 1809-1871), Publisher. Artist or producer associated with 14 portraits.
  • Robert Smirke (1753-1845), Painter and illustrator. Artist or producer associated with 24 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This print, clearly a book illustration, depicts Mary's landing on shore after her dramatic escape from Lochleven Castle and the island on which it is situated. Between 1820 and 1897 fifty-six paintings of scenes from Mary's life were exhibited at the Royal Academy; this episode, along with Mary's abdication of the Scottish throne at Lochleven Castle, was one of those most frequently depicted.

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Events of 1800back to top

Current affairs

Widespread food riots after poor harvests of 1798-9. Theorist, Thomas Malthus, controversially argues that poverty and food shortages are an inevitable consequence of population growth, challenging assumptions that populousness was a sign of national prosperity and power. His thesis contributed forcefully to the debate over the existing Poor Law.

Art and science

William Wordsworth publishes his Preface to the Lyrical Ballads; a retrospective explanation of his experimental poems written with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It becomes one of the best-known manifestos of Romantic literature.

International

Lord Castlereagh, Chief Secretary for Ireland, is the main architect of the Act of Union under which Ireland is merged with Great Britain and the Irish parliament is abolished.
British troops support successful uprising by Maltese against the French.
Napoleon is victorious against Austrians at Marengo and reconquers Italy.

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