Physical description

Photograph depicting Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation day, 2nd June 1953. The new Queen is crowned (this crown is known as the Imperial State Crown) and seated upon a gilded throne, upholstered in brocade fabric. She holds the orb and sceptre in her hands. She is seen in profile and is smiling. She is dressed in an elaborately embroidered gown and wears a dark cloak. The cloak is embroidered, to form a pattern of intertwining leaves. It is trimmed with a thick white and black fur and fastened with broad, glittering braids and knots. The train of the cloak extends in rich folds into the foreground of the image. The scene is framed by draped curtains which are tied back; to reveal a painted backdrop depicting the grand latticed naves of Westminster Abbey (where the Coronation ceremony had taken place shortly before this sitting).

Place of Origin

Buckingham Palace (photographed)

Date

02/06/1953 (photographed)

Artist/maker

Beaton, Cecil (Sir), born 1904 - died 1980 (photographer)

Materials and Techniques

photography

Marks and inscriptions

'B647/8 / H.M. The Queen'
Written on reverse in blue ink/biro, centre.

Dimensions

Width: 19.3 cm image, Height: 24.5 cm image, Width: 19.3 cm paper, Height: 24.5 cm paper

Descriptive line

Royal Portrait by Cecil Beaton (1904-1980). Photograph depicting Queen Elizabeth II, Coronation day, Buckingham Palace, 1953.

Production Note

Cecil Beaton photographed members of the royal family from 1930-1979.

Materials

Paper

Techniques

Gelatin silver process

Categories

Photographs; Portraits; Royalty

Collection

Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection