ALEXANDRE - EVARISTE FRAGONARD
Grasse 1780 - Paris 1850

Mary Queen Of Scots With Rizzio

Oil On Canvas: 46 x 38 cm (19.17 x 15.83 in)

Signed: fragonard

Painted circa 1830

(original frame)

In this painting Fragonard looks to the romantic story of Mary Queen of Scots, a Catholic heroine who tied the popular stories of Walter Scott with a dramatic period in French history. The artist has taken some license in placing Rizzio alone in the room with the Queen, perhaps professing his love for her, while someone listens at the door. This may be the point when the unfortunate Italian's assassins are preparing to enter and murder him but history records that Rizzio was one of several people with the Queen; here she appears to be alone.