Although Mary Queen of Scots was a devout Roman Catholic, she is depicted here without any religious emblems. Instead of the crucifix and rosary, a large ruby surrounded by pearls hangs from her neck, while the rosary is replaced by a lace-edged handkerchief. This suggests that the picture was painted either by a Protestant artist or for a Protestant family. Mary is wearing a black velvet gown to signify her widowed status. There are very few portraits of Mary, Queen of Scots which can be positively dated to within her lifetime. This one was probably painted in the early 17th century when the accession of James VI to the English throne (1603) led to a revival of interest in his mother. Her first husband, Francis II of France died in 1560, two years after their marriage.