Oh Mary, who ascended to the thone in 1542 at six days old upon the death of her father, was forced to abdicate it to her one year old son in 1567, lived in exiled confinement in England for 18 years, and was ultimately beheaded for plotting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth, her cousin once removed, whose crown she has once tried to claim for herself.  Much more to the story than that, and though a devout Catholic surely no saint, but its no wonder she's the subject of much romanticism and many many images, into which lineage this mid 19th century watercolor neatly falls. I must say this one just called to me, perhaps especially for the beautifully rendered (in graphite) lace collar and cuffs, but also for her most beatific face, into which one might read (or onto which one might project) a mix of pleasure and sadness and perhaps some scheming and secrets too. And I think that crimson velvet curtain draped behind her is just right. Really wonderfully done. 

9 5/16" x 8 3/8" framed, as found, in an old black painted solid wood frame which suits it fine. Watercolor measures 6 3/8" x 5 7/16" and is in excellent antique condition.