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Queen Mary

John Smith

1690

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Portrait

Dominant colour

Queen Mary is a 1690 ink by John Smith, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Smith
When & what style?: 1690 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a woman dressed in fancy 17th-century clothes. She wears a tall, decorated wig with ribbons and a lace collar. Her gown is covered in intricate patterns, and she holds a fan in one hand while resting her other hand on a dark surface. The background looks like a curtain or draped fabric, giving a soft, shadowy feel. The artist used a technique that creates deep shadows and smooth tones, making the details pop. This style was common in Baroque portraits to add drama and texture. Next, look up Baroque to see how this style shaped art.