The Opening of the Royal Albert Infirmary at Bishop's Waltham, 1865

Sittersback to top

• Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850-1942), Field Marshal and Governor General of Canada; son of Queen Victoria. Sitter associated with 120 portraits.
• Princess Helena Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein (1846-1923), Wife of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein; third daughter of Queen Victoria. Sitter associated with 68 portraits.
• Sir Arthur Helps (1813-1875), Essayist and historian. Sitter in 2 portraits.
• Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939), Daughter of Queen Victoria. Sitter associated with 77 portraits, Artist associated with 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

• Unknown artist. Artist associated with 6232 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait commemorates the opening of the Royal Albert Infirmary at Bishop's Waltham in Hampshire in November 1865. The three figures seated in the centre are Prince Arthur, Princess Helena and Princess Louisa, three of the nine children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. At the opening a statue of Prince Albert, who had died in 1861, was unveiled. The portrait depicts the sitters in the old abbey barn which was decorated as a concert-room for the occasion. In addition to the music, the leading actress Helena Faucit (later Martin) read scenes from The Merchant of Venice. Tickets were sold to the performance in order to raise funds for the infirmary.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 181
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 718

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Bodelwyddan Castle
• Crests and Coats of Arms
• Events and occasions
• Flowers and plants
• Gloves and gauntlets
• Group portraits
• Known interiors