Feltehetően Francesco Bartolozzi (1727–1815)

Characters dressed in what is thought to be Renaissance attire in an elegant interior: in the center sits Mary Stuart, next to her David Rizzio plays at the harpsichord, while Lord Darnley sneaks in from the left, watching jealously. In the background, court ladies are present. The composition is organized in a semicircle around the instrument; the perspective of the cobblestone floor deepens the space. The color scheme features pastel shades of blue-green and pink, with gold and brown tones; the laces and feathers are highlighted in white retouches. It is a technically fine combination of line work and stipple, with hand-drawn watercolor coloring. The costumes exhibit an 18th-century 'Renaissance fantasy' format (not authentically period-accurate).
Style: British-London neoclassical historical engraving, Kauffman–Bartolozzi circle.
Likely decade: 1790s.

Suggested Artists (engravers)

• Francesco Bartolozzi (1727–1815) – Kauffman's favored engraver, known for bilingual titles in his London editions around 1790.

• Luigi Schiavonetti (1765–1810) – Bartolozzi circle, similar stipple technique.

• Peltro William Tomkins (1760–1840) – often engraved after Kauffman; fine stippling.

• Thomas Burke (1749–1815) – historical scenes, connection to Kauffman.

• Caroline Watson (1761–1814) – elegant stipple, court commissions.