We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: PH.1464-1987
Find out about our images

Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 914, Box S

Photograph

1948 (Photographed)
Artist/Maker
Matthews, Patrick (Photographer)
Place of origin
Buckingham Palace (Photographed)

Black and white photograph of a man bending over and holding a camera at his chest, photographing a woman in a habit holding what seems to be a child wrapped in white tulle fabric. There is a wall with a zig-zag pattern to the left of the image and a ladder leaning against the wall, casting a shadow to the right.


Object details

Categories
Photographs
Portraits
Royalty
Object type
Photograph
Materials and techniques
Gelatin silver print
Photographic Paper
Gelatin Silver Process
Photography
Brief description
Photograph by Patrick Matthews (1914-1996) depicting Cecil Beaton photographing baby Prince Charles, and Sister Rowe. Buckingham Palace, 1948. The scene is visible in the reflection of a mirror.
Physical description
Black and white photograph of a man bending over and holding a camera at his chest, photographing a woman in a habit holding what seems to be a child wrapped in white tulle fabric. There is a wall with a zig-zag pattern to the left of the image and a ladder leaning against the wall, casting a shadow to the right.
Dimensions
  • Image width: 14cm
  • Image height: 14.7cm
  • Paper width: 15.7cm
  • Paper height: 16.7cm
Gallery label
  • Healey Patrick Matthews (1914–96) Cecil Beaton photographing Sister Rowe with baby Prince Charles 1948 Beaton photographed the British royal family on numerous occasions from 1930 to 1979. Here he focuses his Rolleiflex on the Queen’s midwife, who cradles the infant Prince Charles, swathed in christening clothes. At all of Beaton’s royal sittings, much equipment and several cameras were needed. On the right of the photograph, a large ladder and studio light can be seen. Gelatin silver print Bequeathed by Eileen Hose Museum no. PH.1464-1987(23/7/2016-5/3/2017)
  • Patrick Matthews (1914–96) Cecil Beaton photographing Sister Rowe and Prince Charles, Buckingham Palace 1948 Sister Helen Rowe was known affectionately to the Queen as ‘Rowie’. As the Queen’s midwife, she attended the births of all four royal children. Beaton photographed her cradling the one month-old Prince Charles. At all royal sittings, much equipment and several cameras were needed. On the right of the photograph, a large ladder and studio light can be seen. Gelatin silver print V&A: Ph.1464-1987 (2012)
Credit line
Bequeathed to the Museum in 1987 by Eileen Hose, secretary to the photographer
Production
Patrick Matthews worked alongside Cecil Beaton to photograph Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family on several occasions. Cecil Beaton photographed members of the royal family from 1930-1979.
Subjects depicted
Beaton, Cecil (Sir)
King Charles III
Place depicted
Buckingham Palace
Associated object
PH.1463-1987
Other number
1812-3 - Beaton's number
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
PH.1464-1987

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdSeptember 16, 2010
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1172378/photograph-matthews-patrick/
Download as: JSON