Queen Victoria in Her Coronation Robes thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 123

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Queen Victoria in Her Coronation Robes

Oil Painting
1838 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
The Victorians frequently made commemorative oil paintings of significant people and events, and thus many pictures of Queen Victoria were painted. This sketch was made as a preparation for a large picture, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy and is now in the Royal Collection.

Subjects Depicted
Some months after her coronation in June 1837, Queen Victoria posed for this portrait. It shows the Queen dressed in her coronation robes and kneeling at the altar in Westminster Abbey. Even this small sketch reveals Leslie's skill as an artist who was able to combine the intimate and the historic in a single scene. This point was reinforced by the fact that the Queen later commissioned him to record the christening of her first child, the Princess Royal.

Historical Associations
The Coronation of the young Queen Victoria was the founding moment of a new era in British life. The Hanoverian Kings (particularly George IV) who had preceded her became unpopular because of their perceived vice and folly. A significant section of the population was being enticed towards the thought of a republic. The youth and innocence of Victoria represented a new start for the monarchy to some of her more moralistic subjects.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Oil Paintings
  • Frames (Furnishings)
TitleQueen Victoria in Her Coronation Robes (generic title)
Materials and techniques
oil on canvas
Brief description
Oil painting, 'Queen Victoria in her Coronation Robes', Charles Robert Leslie, 1838
Physical description
This painting depicts one of the most moving and private moments on the intricate five hour long medieval state ceremony. Immediately after the supreme moment of the Homage when she was presented to the people, she took off her Royal Crown and kneeling in her elaborate dalmatic robe, stiff with golden eagles, testified by receiving the sacrament to her personal Christian faith.
Dimensions
  • Unframed height: 45.7cm
  • Unframed width: 61cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 26/01/1999 by moira thunder
Styles
Gallery label
British Galleries: The artist shows the 18-year-old Queen kneeling at the altar in Westminster Abbey for her coronation on 20 June 1837. By setting the young Queen in her glowing coronation robes against the sombre background of the Abbey, he emphasised the heroic role that she was taking on.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Given by John Sheepshanks, 1857
Object history
Given by John Sheepshanks, 1857. By Charles Robert Leslie RA (born in London, 1794, died there in 1859)
Subjects depicted
Summary
Object Type
The Victorians frequently made commemorative oil paintings of significant people and events, and thus many pictures of Queen Victoria were painted. This sketch was made as a preparation for a large picture, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy and is now in the Royal Collection.

Subjects Depicted
Some months after her coronation in June 1837, Queen Victoria posed for this portrait. It shows the Queen dressed in her coronation robes and kneeling at the altar in Westminster Abbey. Even this small sketch reveals Leslie's skill as an artist who was able to combine the intimate and the historic in a single scene. This point was reinforced by the fact that the Queen later commissioned him to record the christening of her first child, the Princess Royal.

Historical Associations
The Coronation of the young Queen Victoria was the founding moment of a new era in British life. The Hanoverian Kings (particularly George IV) who had preceded her became unpopular because of their perceived vice and folly. A significant section of the population was being enticed towards the thought of a republic. The youth and innocence of Victoria represented a new start for the monarchy to some of her more moralistic subjects.
Bibliographic reference
Catalogue of British Oil Paintings 1820-1860, Ronald Parkinson, Victoria and Albert Museum, London: HMSO, 1990, pp. 173-74
Collection
Accession number
FA.129[O]

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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