Lost Mary Queen of Scots portrait found?
October 29 2017
Picture: SNPG
Technical research of a 1589 painting of the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, Sir John Maitland, has revealed that it was painted over a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, who was executed in 1587. The discovery shows what political hot potatos royal portraits could be; after Mary's execution it would have been risky to show her image. Rather than destroy a perfectly usable portrait panel, however, the artist Adrian Vanson simply painted over Mary's head. More here on the Scottish National Portrait Gallery's website.
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