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Lithograph

ca. 1840 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This is a music sheet cover with a portrait of the young Queen Victoria, printed by colour lithography.

Historical Association
The popularity of the young Queen Victoria coincided with a period when large numbers of illustrated music sheets were being published. There were therefore many with images of the Queen and, after her marriage in 1840, of Prince Albert, either as portraits or at particular events.

People
John Brandard was one of the leading artists illustrating music sheet covers during this early period of colour lithography. Brandard was renowned for his great technical skill and ability to convey delicate colours, in particular in his portraiture. He was also remarkably prolific.

Ownership & Use
The popularity of sheet music was partly due to the increase in domestic ownership of pianos, particularly after the introduction of upright pianos in about 1827. 'Pianomania' apparently began to spread among the middle-income levels of society during the 1840s, providing a market for the relatively expensive sheet music. The example here cost 4/-.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph, ink on paper
Brief description
Music sheet for 'The Queen's Waltz'
Physical description
Lithograph
Dimensions
  • Unmounted height: 35.2cm
  • Width: 25cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 10/10/2000 by PaperCons
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
The popularity of the young Queen was apparent in the many music sheets bearing her portrait that were published in the 1840s. Music sheets were amongst the earliest printed media to exploit the technique of colour lithography.
Credit line
Given by H.C. Andrews
Object history
Designed by John Brandard (1812-1863); published and sold by Chappell & Co., London; printed by M.&R. Hanhart
Summary
Object Type
This is a music sheet cover with a portrait of the young Queen Victoria, printed by colour lithography.

Historical Association
The popularity of the young Queen Victoria coincided with a period when large numbers of illustrated music sheets were being published. There were therefore many with images of the Queen and, after her marriage in 1840, of Prince Albert, either as portraits or at particular events.

People
John Brandard was one of the leading artists illustrating music sheet covers during this early period of colour lithography. Brandard was renowned for his great technical skill and ability to convey delicate colours, in particular in his portraiture. He was also remarkably prolific.

Ownership & Use
The popularity of sheet music was partly due to the increase in domestic ownership of pianos, particularly after the introduction of upright pianos in about 1827. 'Pianomania' apparently began to spread among the middle-income levels of society during the 1840s, providing a market for the relatively expensive sheet music. The example here cost 4/-.
Collection
Accession number
E.2452-1914

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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