Mary II (1662–1694)

This portrait of Mary II, who co-ruled with her husband William III from 1689 to her death from smallpox in 1694, preserves the image of a beloved monarch whose early death shocked England. Mary's joint reign with William established the constitutional principle of Protestant parliamentary monarchy that the Glorious Revolution had created, and her personal popularity helped legitimate a dynasty that might otherwise have struggled against English sympathy for the deposed James II. Kneller's portrait of Mary was among the most reproduced images of his career — her death generated enormous demand for portraits as memorial images, and the studio produced multiple versions for the institutions and individuals who mourned her.

The royal portrait presents Mary with serene dignity and regal beauty, the formal composition and rich costume conveying monarchical authority while the gentle features suggest the personal warmth for which she was celebrated.