Queen Victoria
3 of 548 portraits of Queen Victoria
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Queen Victoria
by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
pencil, circa 1839
20 in. x 16 1/4 in. (508 mm x 413 mm)
Given by Mrs George Jones, 1871
Primary Collection
NPG 316a(125)
Sitterback to top
- Queen Victoria (1819-1901), Reigned 1837-1901. Sitter associated with 548 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 5 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 267 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
Events of 1839back to top
Current affairs
The Bedchamber crisis strains relations between the government and the monarchy, after Queen Victoria refuses to dismiss her Whig-appointed ladies of the bedchamber at the request of the new, Conservative Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. Peel resigns and Melbourne returns as Prime Minister.The Grand National is first held at the Aintree race course, won by the horse Lottery, and the first Henley Royal Regatta, the rowing event, is held on the Thames.
Art and science
The French and British scientists Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot separately publicise their experiments with the new form of photography.The prolific journalist Harriet Martineau publishes her three decker novel Deerbrook, the story of middle class country life.
International
The first Opium War with China is sparked after the British government refuses to try six British soldiers accused of killing a Chinese man protecting a temple from looters. Relations were strained as Britain had promoted the drug opium in China to boost trade. Winning the war, Britain secured vital trading rights.African captives aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad revolt, resulting in a highly publicised court case.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Related pages
- William Hazlitt's Spirit of the Age
- Return to Life: A New Look at the Portrait Bust
- Handlist of names in the Reference Collection - M-Z
- The World's Most Photographed
- Painting the Century
- Popular Prints of Victoria and Albert
- Silhouettes display, 2004-05
- The Beautiful and the Damned
- Kings and Queens: A Family tree
- Queen Victoria Trail
- Celebrating Queen Victoria: 200 Years
- Prince Albert Trail
- Everyday icons: collecting popular portraits
- Daily highlights tours
- LGBTQ+ History Month highlights tour
- LGBTQ+ highlights tour
- Trailblazers Black history tour