Description:

"John Knox Admonishing Mary Queen of Scots," 19th C. Oil on Canvas Copy of 1823 Original by Sir William Allan

An impressive 19th century artist's copy of "John Knox Admonishing Mary Queen of Scots," after the original oil on canvas by Scottish painter Sir William Allan (1782-1850) first exhibited in 1823. The scene, drawn from historical accounts of an actual meeting between incendiary Scottish Protestant reformer John Knox (ca. 1514-1572) and Scottish queen Mary Stuart (1542-1587), was also dramatized in Sir Walter Scott's historical novels. Scottish print maker John Burnet (1781/4-1868) made an engraving of the original Sir William Allan painting in 1824, and the image was widely reproduced elsewhere.

The oil on canvas has been laid down on a later plywood mount. The painting shows expected wear consistent with age including craquelure. Minor edge and corner rubbing as well as isolated paint loss flecks and scuffs, else very good to near fine, and of a pleasingly large size. Overall measures 33" x 37" x .5."

The painting depicts John Knox, grim and humorless in black jacket, doublet, hose, and skull cap, gesticulating in a disapproving gesture towards Queen Mary, seated weeping at a table. Two of Mary's attendants, including a lady-in-waiting and possibly her Italian private secretary David Riccio (murdered by Protestant nobles three years later), appear in the background. Knox's Protestant sobriety contrasts with symbols of the Catholic queen's worldliness: a lute, books, painting, and sumptuous fabrics displayed on Mary's side of the room. Rather provocatively, Mary's crucifix is shown discarded on the floor.

The subject of the artwork is based on an actual encounter between Knox and Mary on June 24, 1563. Mary had been considering a strategic marriage with Spanish (and Catholic) prince Don Carlos, a foreign policy decision which Knox publicly condemned. Two modern historians, Geddes MacGregor and John Guy, describe the altercation in their Mary Queen of Scot biographies [see Geddes MacGregor, "The Thundering Scot" (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1957) and John Guy, "My Heart is my Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots" (London: Fourth Estate, 2004)]. Mary is reported to have angrily asked Knox, "What have ye to do with my marriage? What are ye within this commonwealth?", to which Knox replied it was his regretful duty to protest and thereby protect the state. Knox was one of Mary Stuart's most rabid critics and advocated for her execution in 1587.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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