The daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise, Mary Stuart succeeded to the Scottish throne as an infant but spent most of her childhood in France. After the death of Mary I she laid claim to the English throne. Mary returned to Scotland after the death of her husband Francis II and ruled for seven turbulent years. During her reign she married Lord Darnley, connived with the Earl of Bothwell at Darnley's murder, married Bothwell and was finally forced to flee to England. The Latin inscription in this portrait tells us that it was painted when she had been a prisoner in England for ten years. The cross attached her rosary bears the letter 'S' for Stuart on each of its arms. At its centre is an enamelled scene of Susannah and the Elders (symbolising the triumph of right through divine aid) surrounded by a Latin motto which signifies 'troubles on all sides'.
Nicholas Hilliard (c.1547 – January 7, 1619) was an English goldsmith and limner best known for his portrait miniatures of members of the courts of Elizabeth I and James I of England. He mostly painted small oval miniatures, but also some larger cabinet miniatures, up to about ten inches tall, and at least two famous half-length panel portraits of Elizabeth
[Oil on panel, 791 mm x 902 mm]
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