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

Photograph

02/06/1953 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Beaton, Cecil (Sir) (photographer)
Place of origin
Buckingham Palace (photographed)

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 although seen slightly from behind, we can see that she holds the orb and sceptre. Her face is seen in profile; her expression is calm and thoughtful. She is wearing a cloak of thick white and black fur. A painted backdrop depicts the grand latticed naves of Westminster Abbey (where the Coronation ceremony had taken place shortly before this sitting).


Object details

Categories
Photographs
Portraits
Royalty
Object type
Photograph
Materials and techniques
photography
Paper
Gelatin Silver Process
Brief description
Royal Portrait by Cecil Beaton (1904-1980). Photograph depicting Queen Elizabeth II, Coronation day, Buckingham Palace, 1953.
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 although seen slightly from behind, we can see that she holds the orb and sceptre. Her face is seen in profile; her expression is calm and thoughtful. She is wearing a cloak of thick white and black fur. A painted backdrop depicts the grand latticed naves of Westminster Abbey (where the Coronation ceremony had taken place shortly before this sitting).
Dimensions
  • Image width: 15.3cm
  • Image height: 20.6cm
  • Paper width: 15.3cm
  • Paper height: 20.6cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'NOTICE / This picture is the property of The Associated Press Ltd. / and may be used only for purposes of reproduction when / authorised by the owner. It may not be used in such manner as / to violate the rights of any person, firm or corporation. It may not be used for advertising or purposes of trade unless written / consent of each living person depicted, or if a minor of his or her / parent or guardian, shall be obtained, such consent to apply to / the owner and to the person Licensed by the owner to use the / picture. If any use shall violate, or shall be claimed to violate, / the rights of any person, firm or corporation, the licensee agrees / to indemnify the owner against all liability, including all / reasonable legal fees and expenses, which the owner may incur / by reason thereof. / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Ltd., / 83-86, FARRINGDON STREET, LONDON, EC4. (Printed by ink stamp on reverse.)
  • 'BEA.C10138' (Written in ink on reverse, upper left.)
  • 'B647-50' (Written in pencil on reverse, upper left.)
Credit line
Bequeathed to the Museum in 1987 by Eileen Hose, secretary to the photographer
Production
Cecil Beaton photographed members of the royal family from 1930-1979.
Subject depicted
HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Place depicted
Buckingham Palace
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
Strong, Roy C. Cecil Beaton: the royal portraits. London: Thames and Hudson, c1988. p. 136
Other number
B647-50 - Beaton's number
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
PH.1516-1987

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Record createdJune 8, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O244767/photograph-beaton-cecil-sir/
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