Engraving of Mary, Queen of Scots. Half length with hair under French hood, embroidered gown with high collar, and jewelled bodice, holding a feathered fan in left hand. Within an oval border bearing Latin inscription. In the lower right corner the monogram of the engraver 'PME' is inscribed. Cut down.

This portrait depicts Mary, Queen of Scots in her youth, fashionably dressed in an ornately embroidered gown with slashed sleeves and holding an elaborate fan.

This print was published as part of a series of portraits of royal rulers, engraved by Frans Huys and Pieter van der Heyden and published by Hieronymus Cock. A second portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots when Queen of France (1559-60) was published as part of this series, however this portrait by van der Heyden presents the Queen before her short marriage to Francis II, King of France. It is likely, therefore, that this print was engraved in the period between 1556 and 1559, when the Queen was aged between 13 and 17. This portrait would have originally have been published alongside a portrait of her future spouse Francis II, whose portrait was also engraved twice for the series.

For the portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots after her marriage and accession see RCIN 618171