‘Stone Walls do not a Prison Make’ by Henry Nelson O’Neil ARA (1817-1880).

The painting – which depicts one of the most popular Romantic figures of the 19^th century, Mary Queen of Scots – is signed with monogram by the artist and dated 1869 in which year it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London.

Dressed in her familiar vêtements de deuil Mary Stuart is pictured during her final days of captivity at Fotheringhay Castle. On the table before her is a bible, a sprig of heather, and the wild rose she is said to have introduced to Scotland; rosa spinosissima is an ancient variety famous for its beauty and ability to survive in the poorest conditions. Mary Stuart was beheaded on the orders of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I on February 8^th, 1587.

With his friends William Powell Frith, Richard Dadd, John Phillip, Edward Matthew Ward, and Augustus Egg, O'Neil was a founder member of The Clique, one of the most important artist groups of the mid-19th century who promoted a revival in the popularity of subject pictures in British art.

Although today his vibrant and highly detailed paintings are frequently described as ‘Pre-Raphaelite’, Henry Nelson O’Neil was ironically one of the most outspoken critics of the brotherhood during the 1850s, though he later became a great friend of John Everett Millais. O’Neil’s most famous subject picture ‘Eastward Ho!’ captures British troops bidding farewell to their relatives before departing for the subcontinent to fight in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Between 1838 and 1879 Henry O’Neil exhibited 94 paintings at the Royal Academy, 34 at the British Institution and 14 with the Royal Society of British Artists. He was elected an Associate Member of the Royal Academy in 1879.

Academy Fine Paintings only offers artwork for sale in the finest condition it can be for its age, having been professionally cleaned, conserved, and re-varnished. Clients should also note that tracked and signed for international shipping is complimentary.

Dimensions: (framed) 66cm x 57cm (26” x 22½”).

Dimensions: (canvas only) 48cm x 39cm (19” x 15¼”).

Medium: Oil on board.

Provenance: 1869, exhibited at the Royal Academy (cat no.306). Thence in private UK collection.

Presentation: Giltwood and ebonised frame.

Condition: Very good. Professionally cleaned, restored, and re-varnished. Ready to hang.