Memorialising Albert
Prince Albert's lasting influence can be seen in many mediums
The Family of Queen Victoria in 1887
Signed and dated 1887Oil on canvas | 165.7 x 226.1 cm (support, canvas/panel/str external) | RCIN 400500
Queen Victoria commissioned this painting to commemorate the gathering of her family for the Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years of her reign. She had admired the picture Tuxen had painted of the family of the King and Queen of Denmark and wanted a similar record of her own family. Queen Victoria is shown sitting in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, surrounded by members of her family. At the Queen's request, a bronze bust of Prince Albert was added in replacement of a clock on the mantlepiece.
The Queen noted in a letter to the Duke of Connaught after seeing a prepatory sketch, that the composition was,
not to be still & according to Etiquette, but prettily grouped.
RA VIC/ADDA15/4849
The finished painting was considered a great success and Queen Victoria noted,
The picture is beautiful, the Drawing room admirably painted & the likenesses very good... the grouping & colouring, all, charming.
Queen Victoria's Journal, RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 1 December 1887 (Princess Beatrice's Copies)
On completion of the painting, a photogravure was published by I.P. Mendoza of King Street, St James's, to be given to all those present at the festivities.
