The Murder of David Rizzio

The Murder of David Rizzio is an 1833 history painting by the Scottish artist William Allan.

[1][2] It portrays the 1566 assassination of the Italian courtier David Rizzio at Holyrood Palace during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots.

On the left side of the canvas Mary is shown being restrained by her husband Lord Darnley.

The artist took great care to be historically accurate in his depictions of the various figures portrayed in the scene.

[4] Today it is in the collection of the Scottish National Gallery, having been acquired in 1927.