Birthday Wishes to the Queen
As tomorrow will be the 192nd anniversary of Queen Alexandrina Victoria’s birth, I wanted to compile a little album devoted to her image.
As I never grow weary of looking at images of the great lady, discussing her reign, and examining the culture that flourished under her watch, putting this post together was quite a treat. Most of the images were pulled from the National Portrait Gallery and the V&A.
Queen Victoria
(Golden Jubilee, 1887)
b. 24th May 1819
d. 22nd January 1901
gorgeous coloring
Her Majesty’s Gracious Smile
by Charles Knight, 1887
For a queen so often remembered as a symbol of repressive colonialism, rigid class boundaries, and overstuffed parlors chock-a-block with bric-a-brac and dusty aspidistra; I wanted to cobble together a more intimate, approachable collection. It is after all her birthday, would be bad manners to dwell upon unfortunate events.
Victoria as a child.
Hand-colored engraving, 1825-30
Charles Robert Leslie
Queen Victoria in Her Coronation Robes
1838
oil on canvas
V&A
Queen Victoria
published 1st May 1838
circa 1837-50
Her Majesty Queen Victoria opening her first Parliament
late 1830’s
unknown artist
1837-40
It isn’t possible to discuss the Queen without Prince Albert of Saxe-Colburg-Gotha, her dashing husband; her passion for him was quite intense, “bliss beyond belief”. They married 10th February 1840.
The public understandably could not get enough of the happy couple; the engravers satisfied their desire with an enormous amount of ephemera.
The Queen and Prince Albert’s Polka
printed 1840
Such passion inevitably brings forth royal issue, the first being Victoria, Empress of Germany and Queen of Prussia.
Windsor Castle
1844
More after that, ultimately eight children, she was not only the Queen, she was a mother.
A very marketable commodity.
The Royal Mother
1844 or after
“At Home” images became increasingly popular, they hold my interest well past the fact.
The Queen and Prince Albert at Home
1844
Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and family
1843
The Queen never seemed to lose her dignity,possessing that well known (often caricatured) aloof air; yet from the sheer volume of material culture bearing her likeness it is quite apparent how fondly she was regarded.
Charles Clifford
Queen Victoria
14th November 1861
albumen carte-de-visite
From costly wall coverings,
Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee
1887
F.Scott and Son
to “street-art” stencils,
1833
the Queen’s image seems to have been everywhere. This quitepeculiar pipe bowl of 1887 , maker unknown, really captures the Queen’s likeness;although stuffing tobacco in your monarch’s cranium seems a bit irreverent.
by Alexander Bassano
1882
National Portrait Gallery
Although her reign was of incredible length, 63 years and 216 days ( but who’s counting?), the inevitable happens, January 22nd 1901 Her Majesty passed.This image is particularly touching with her beloved Albert ever present.
unknown photographer, 1901
I will close with a happier image.
by Sir George Hayter
1863
National Portrait Gallery
If you are as much a monarchy looney as I am, perhaps consider joining The British Monarchy Facebook page.
Until next time,
Babylon Baroque
Babylon Baroque 
May 23, 2011 at 9:41 pm
A most excellent and thoroughly depicted post. Had not seen most of the photos. Rapture, indeed. The Queen would be very pleased.
May 24, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Thank you,
Like a good Victorianist, more pleases me most, I fear I bore some with my excessive images, but oh well…
I like the Rapture pun, thank Heaven we all survived :}
Take care,
LG
May 25, 2011 at 1:28 pm
I have had the best time catching up on posts of yours that I have missed. This has been a real pleasure. Loved the post on Etty, and all of these. I have had the best time this afternoon looking at these images and reading your writings.
Warmly,
Philip
May 26, 2011 at 6:44 am
Hello Philip,
Great to hear from you,pleased you enjoyed the Etty post. i always admire your offerings so the compliment is a pleasure to receive.
Take care,
LG
May 29, 2011 at 3:50 am
‘The British Monarchy Facebook’ page? Oh dear, that is definitely one for those lucky/unlucky enough to live outside this sceptred isle.
Nice article though. Victoria and Albert and their cosy family lifestyle was largely publicised to save the monarchy itself, which was extremely unpopular due to the Hanover fiasco of the Georgian era. George IV was particularly disliked and often ridiculed, leaving no legitimate heir apart from his insignificant brother. Many politicians at the time believed that Victoria would have a short reign and then Britain would be declared a republic. As with all things British, not so much a revolution as a weekend change in management, Friday monarchy, Monday republic.
No such thing happened and the monarchy have been hanging on ever since, usually as a tool of politicians, hence the last royal wedding, terms and conditions being dictated by the prime minister.
That all sounded cheery didn’t it? Sorry about that.
June 1, 2011 at 7:09 am
I know, FB, not sure if that is a good thing.
I enjoy/respect your cheery input, particularly since you “foot the bill” for my interest in this archaic system.
take care,
LG
July 28, 2011 at 2:51 pm
To The Creater of this Queens Images / gatherings thereof: I was looking for paintings of the young Victoria after seeing the movie on cable. I just find this history amazing. It also seems the movie wasn’t far from truth. I wish to thank you for showing the only images I have found. How fascinating? I have also looked up pics of another fascinating woman in British history after a very unnerving sad movie…also seeing facts following seeming to be fairly truthful…of the Duchess of York. The Duchess of devonshire. Another fascinating look into woman stuch forever in this case of such dreadful unhappiness in eauropean history.
I get it…as I once was a woman in a man’s field as a truck driver/ bus driver up in Massachusettes from 1990 to 2002 when afte finally making my mark as a worthy and accident free driver with a very strong and today still remembered as a respectful woman in a man’s profession. Then in 2002, a woman with children in her back seat pulled in front of my 40 foot bus ..I had to stop this impact and swerve my bus and ended up ending my driving career. With too many leaking discs to count and metal in my neck. I am now stuck at homme watching movies. I like historical movies and these that are fairly true to reality , makes ma greatful to have been born at a time when women have some rights. As I said though sometimes….times for women aren’t changed. Especially when in 1998. My mother 35 yrs my senior told me” women weren’t meant to drive trucks”. Although she had come with me several times in my truck in her 70’s to go for a ride to cape cod. Sitting in the bunk of the truck while I went to get my trailer. Where I picked up my load for the cape….they didn’t allow passengers into a trip as produce to the main store on Martha’s Vinyard. I had the priority load to the cape island 3 summers in a row. 1998, 1999, and 2000. Some of my favorite trips. I didn’t just drive truck. I drove tankers and flatbeds. Now stuck home married to a cross country trucker here. And home alone after such adventures. Again thank you for thepictures. Most Sincerely, Judith Sager
July 28, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Well I am happy you enjoyed the post, though saddened to hear you have suffered such pain. My father drove a big rig, I know he was often frustrated and in discomfort.
I will give thought to other great woman in film and in history, one needn’t dig too deeply. Plenty of films on Elizabeth I of course.You should if you haven’t already, read the bio of the Duchess. I personally have read little of Victoria. i have a keen interest in Marie Antoinette. Antonia Fraser’s bio of her is a pleasure. Another favorite is Athenaisby Lisa Hitton, a bio of Louis XVI mistress, quite good.I am afraid i do not watch as many films as i should, particularly as i live in LA. Please pop in again, take care, Leonard @ BabylonBaroque