Queen Elizabeth II
45 of 972 portraits of Queen Elizabeth II
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Queen Elizabeth II
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print on tissue and card mount, 26 February 1952
11 3/8 in. x 8 1/2 in. (290 mm x 215 mm)
Given by the photographer's sister, Susan Morton, 1976
Primary Collection
NPG P870(5)
Sitterback to top
- Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), Reigned 1952-2022. Sitter associated with 972 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Dorothy Wilding (1893-1976), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 2179 portraits, Sitter in 30 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Gittings, Clare, Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I: An Educational Resource Pack, 2003
- Moorhouse, Paul and Cannadine, David (appreciation), The Queen: Art and Image, 2011 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 17 May to 21 October 2012), p. 57 Read entry
Dorothy Wilding first photographed the Queen in 1937 at the Coronation of her father, King George VI. She subsequently made portraits of the Queen on significant occasions. To mark her accession, Elizabeth posed for the photographer fifty-nine times, wearing gowns by Norman Hartnell. Copies of the best images were sent to every embassy in the world and appeared on banknotes and millions of stamps.
- Pepper, Terence, In Pursuit of Perfection: The Photographs of Dorothy Wilding, 1991 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 July 1991 - 29 September 1991), p. 101 Read entry
Wilding's best-known portraits of the 1950s are undoubtedly those taken for the Coronation and accession of Queen Elizabeth II. The new monarch was shown first in a black taffeta strapless evening dress (P870(5)) and then in the full panoply of majesty with glittering crown, sashes, ribbons and orders (P870(6)). These formal portraits were sent to every embassy in the world and remained the most memorable images of the Queen at least until her Silver Jubilee. Other studies from these sittings formed the basis for the new currency and appeared on millions of stamps, known in stamp-collecting circles as 'Wildings'.
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 201
- Shulman, Alexandra, Elizabeth II Princess, Queen, Icon, 2021, p. 59
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1952back to top
Current affairs
King George VI is found dead in his bed in Sandringham; he had been suffering from lung cancer. His daughter Elizabeth, who was in Kenya at the time, became Queen, the only monarch not to know the precise moment of her accession as her father was alone when he died. Elizabeth was crowned the following year.Art and science
Samuel Beckett's play, Waiting for Godot is performed for the first time in Paris. The play belongs to the Theatre of the Absurd style, which influenced playwrights such as Harold Pinter and Tom Stoppard.Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap opens in London. It is still going.
International
Mau Mau rebels in Kenya rise up against the British colonial administration. The rebellion was sparked by the growing poverty of the native farmers under the rule of white settlers and called for Kenyan independence. The violence of the rebels, who often murdered settlers and loyalists, was met by the indiscriminate suppression by the British Military, who executed hundreds of suspects.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.