The Royal Family

Date1689-1694

Engraver Edward Cooper

After work by Bernard Lens

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 8 1/4 × 6 3/4in. (21 × 17.1cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. John Reps

Object number1978-73

DescriptionThe upper margin reads: "The ROYAL FAMILY./ KING WILLIAM./ QUEEN MARY./ Prince GEORGE of DENMARK./ Princess ANNE of DENMARK."

The lower margin reads: "E. Cooper excudit./ Cum Privilegio Regis./ B. Lens Fecit."
Label TextThis small mezzotint from left to right shows: (top) King William III; Queen Mary; (bottom) Prince George of Denmark; and Princess Anne of Denmark. It shows the last legitimate heirs from the house of Stuart. It was likely originally published to show the line of Stuart succession during the time of King William and Queen Mary's rule and before her death in 1694.

King William and Queen Mary shared the throne as co-rulers when they were crowned in 1689. This unusual arrangement is unique in British history. When Mary died in 1694, William continued to rule until his death in 1702. Having not produced children of their own the throne passed to the next member of the Stuart line, Mary's younger sister Anne who ruled until her death in 1714. She and Prince George died childless and as a result of the Act of Settlement 1701 (which denied Catholics from the throne), the crown passed to the next protestant in the line of succession, George I of the House of Hanover.
ProvenanceBefore 1978, John Reps [1921-2020] (Ithaca, NY); 1978-present, given to The Colonial Williamasburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).