Artwork
Maria Stuart (1542-87), koningin van Schotland

Maria Stuart (1542-87), koningin van Schotland is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a circular portrait executed on parchment, depicting a woman with light skin and curly brown hair.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts Maria Stuart, Queen of Scotland (1542–1587), presented as a historical portrait miniature executed on parchment.
The work depicts Maria Stuart, Queen of Scotland (1542–1587), presented as a historical portrait miniature executed on parchment. Created in 1650, this anonymous painting serves as a commemorative representation of the monarch long after her execution, reflecting the enduring interest in her legacy during the mid-seventeenth century. As a miniature genre piece, the image functions as an intimate yet formal record of the Scottish queen, preserving her likeness for a Dutch audience decades after her death.
Technique & Style
This miniature portrait from 1650 is executed on parchment, a support prized for its smooth, durable surface that allows for exceptionally fine detail. The work's classification as both a painting and a miniature indicates a small-scale format with meticulous, delicate brushwork characteristic of the miniature tradition. The handling likely involved precise, controlled strokes to achieve likeness and refinement at a reduced scale.
The smooth texture of parchment would have facilitated the crisp linear quality and subtle modeling typical of such works. No specific information about the artwork's current condition is provided in the available sources.
History & Provenance
Maria Stuart (1542-87), koningin van Schotland is een anonieme schilderij dat in 1650 is gemaakt op perkament. Het werk behoort tot de collectie van het Rijksmuseum, waar het momenteel tentoongesteld is. Het schilderij is een miniatuur en valt onder de categorie schilderij. Het werd gedateerd op 1650-00-00 volgens de officiële registratie van het museum.
Overview
The work is a circular portrait executed on parchment, depicting a woman with light skin and curly brown hair. She wears a white collar edged with black lace and a dark blue dress, set against an unadorned background that draws attention to her face. The surface shows signs of age, with fading and minor wear evident on the material.
Artist & collection


















