Mary, Queen of Scots

Renold Elstrack

National Gallery of Art

The image is a portrait engraving showing the upper half of a seated female figure. She is positioned facing forward, with a slight turn of the head to her left. Her facial features are rendered with fine lines, including a high forehead, arched eyebrows, and a small, slightly curved mouth. Her hair is styled elaborately, with tight curls and adorned with a jeweled crown. She is dressed in richly detailed garments featuring a high ruffled collar and patterned, voluminous sleeves. Interlocking necklaces or embellishments drape across her chest, and a large chain hangs with an ornate pendant resting at the center. In her right hand, she holds a scepter while her left hand holds a royal orb. The background of the image is an ornate frame with heraldic crests in each corner, and a central arch above her head. Two cherubs are depicted sitting atop the arch. The bottom of the artwork contains an inscription in an embellished script, identifying the figure, along with ornamental designs of mythical creatures at the sides of the frame.