painting (oil): ["Mary, Queen of Scots, Being Led To Execution"]

A historical scene. On the right of the picture is a stone staircase, leading from Mary's room, where she has been held. The banisters are draped with black material. At the top of the stairs are the Queen's courtiers, all in black. One of her ladies in waiting weeps; next to her on the wall is a tapestry. Mary herself is on the bottom step, being guided by the arm by a male courtier dressed in a breastplate and thigh length leather boots. He carries a sword at his side. The queen looks straight at us, a look of shocked composure on her face. She wears a long black dress, with a red underdress, a long white veil, which is worn at the back, and a stiff lace ruff. Around her neck is a crucifix, and she holds another, with a lace handkerchief, in her right hand. On the extreme left of the picture, descending the lower flight of stairs, we see the soldiers that have come to lead her away. Above them we can see Mary's room, with its window and desk. (1) W. Newton : May 28th 1880 (letter in [keeper's] files); (2) Shepherd Brothers (letter in [keeper's] files). According to George Shepherd (2/11/1898) the painting was "sold on the private view day [of the 1871 RA] by the artist for £450. The purchaser held it until his death, & then we bought it." It was in Shepherd's hands by 25/6/1892 (Letters in Registry).