Queen Victoria

Sitterback to top

• Queen Victoria (1819-1901), Reigned 1837-1901. Sitter associated with 444 portraits, Artist associated with 5 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), Sculptor. Artist associated with 266 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.

This portraitback to top

These drawings were made for a bust of Queen Victoria in her coronation year. In the profile drawing, Chantrey has repeated the detail of the nose and parted lips. The success of Chantrey's busts of her uncles George IV and William IV, may have led to this commission. Made towards the end of Chantrey's life, it was said to be the last bust he touched with his chisel. Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert thought that the bust was the best portrait of his wife.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 476
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 634

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• From Pencil to Chisel: Sir Francis Chantrey’s Portrait Drawings (2 April 2011 - 20 November 2011)

Portrait setback to top

• Preliminary drawings for busts and statues by Sir Francis Chantrey, circa 1807-40