Mary Stuart as Princess of Orange - Abraham Bloteling

A fine mezzotint portrait of Mary Stuart, Princess of Orange, after the original painting by Sir Peter Lely, executed by the Dutch master Abraham Bloteling.

This mezzotint by Abraham Bloteling depicts Mary Stuart, the Princess of Orange, who later became Queen Mary II of England. The print is based on an original painting by Sir Peter Lely, a dominant figure in seventeenth-century British portraiture. Bloteling, a Dutch engraver who spent time working in London, was a master of the mezzotint technique. This method allowed for subtle gradations of tone, which are visible here in the soft modelling of the subject's face and the deep, velvety shadows of the oval frame.

The portrait captures the subject in a characteristic pose of the period, with her hair styled in loose, flowing curls and her attire featuring the draped, classical-style garments favoured by Lely. The inscription at the base, 'Maria Princeps Auriaca', identifies the sitter, while the Latin notations 'P. Lily Pinxit' and 'A. Bloteling fecit et exc.' clarify the roles of the painter and the printmaker respectively. The use of the mezzotint process provides a tactile quality to the fabric and skin, moving away from the rigid line work found in earlier engraving styles.

Bloteling is credited with refining the tools used for mezzotint, specifically the rocker, which enabled a more consistent and controlled texture across the plate. This print demonstrates his technical precision, particularly in the handling of light and shadow. The oval composition focuses the viewer's attention entirely on the sitter, creating an intimate yet formal presentation. As a piece of historical documentation, it reflects the fashion and artistic conventions of the late seventeenth-century court. The print remains a fine example of the collaborative nature of printmaking during this era, where the skills of the engraver were essential in disseminating the likenesses of royal and aristocratic figures to a wider audience.