About this artwork

Within eighteen months Mary, Queen of Scots, lost three members of her closest family - her father-in-law, Henry II of France, her mother, Mary of Guise, and finally, on 5 December 1560, her husband, François II of France. She is shown here in mourning, wearing a white hood and veil. According to the Venetian Ambassador to the French court, Mary was inconsolable and her 'tears and lamentations inspired a great pity' in everyone. Eight months later, having lost her position as Queen of France, Mary landed at Leith to take up her duties as Queen of Scotland.

Updated before 2020

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