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LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

Princess Beatrice (1857-1944) taking her first ride on her second birthday

c.1880 after an original of 14 April 1859

Carbon print | 13.4 x 16.0 cm (image) | RCIN 2900172

Photograph of the young Princess Beatrice (1857-1944) seated on a pony via a special seat. A groom stands to the left, holding the pony's bridle. Buckingham Palace can be seen in the background.

Princess Beatrice, the youngest child of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and Prince Albert (1819-61), spent her second birthday at Buckingham Palace. Her mother wrote an account of the day in her journal: 'We went to fetch her from the schoolroom, where she stood with 2 nosegays in her hand, surrounded by her sisters, looking a great little duck in a little pink silk frock, with her little curls so nicely arranged ... Baby was delighted with her toys, running about with a Pussy, she called a rabbit.' Princess Beatrice later had a party with four girls her own age. They 'ran about in the Lower Corridor, after their supper and had great fun together.'

  • Creator(s)

    Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg (1857-1944)

  • annotation: Princefs Beatrice./ taking her 1st ride on her 2nd Birthday/ April 14th 1859./ Caldesi. [beneath work]

  • 13.4 x 16.0 cm (image)

    30.8 x 24.4 cm (whole object)

  • Princess Beatrice taking her first ride on her second birthday, 14 April 1859 [in Portraits of Royal Children Vol.3 1858-1859]

  • Commissioned by Queen Victoria

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Agriculture and related techniques
        • Animal husbandry
          • Horses
            • Ponies
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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