Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums

How you can use this image

 

This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (CC BY-NC-ND).

You can reproduce this image for non-commercial purposes and you are not able to change or modify it in any way.

Wherever you reproduce the image you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s) and the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other rights holders.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Download

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

This painting shows the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots at Fotheringay Castle, Northamptonshire on 8 February 1587. Wearing widow's clothes and a white veil, she walks towards the executioner's block. The light captures the serenity and courage of her expression. She is watched with mixed emotions by some of her followers and enemies. The two ladies at the foot of the stage are her attendants Elizabeth Curle and Jane Kennedy, the man between them is Sir Andrew Melville, Master of Mary's household. In the Victorian period there was a great vogue for Scottish things. Herdman has deliberately glamorized the past by presenting the ageing Mary as a young and beautiful woman, the innocent victim of political intrigue. She has become a romantic heroine and is shown as a saintly figure.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Title

Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

Date

1867

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 74.9 x W 95.3 cm

Accession number

812

Acquisition method

bequeathed by Adam Teacher, 1898

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

signed/dated

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Normally on display at

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG Scotland

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue