Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
© estate of Bertram Park / Camera Press
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
by Bertram Park
Carbro colour print, July 1931
Given by (Hilary) June Mardall (née Park, later Bosanquet), 1977
Photographs Collection
NPG x199775
Sitterback to top
- Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (1900-2002), Queen of George VI. Sitter associated with 580 portraits, Artist or producer of 1 portrait.
Artistback to top
- Bertram Park (1883-1972), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 147 portraits, Sitter in 20 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Park was renowned for his elegant and stylish portraits, and first photographed the future queen in 1922, when she was Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the Duchess of York. She would subsequently sit for him on numerous occasions. This 1931 portrait is an early example of a carbro colour print, a cousin of the Technicolor film process. Park pioneered the production of exhibition prints using this material in the 1930s, before the arrival of Kodachrome colour film in 1935 made colour photography more widely accessible. This portrait was reproduced as a postcard and widely distributed at the time.
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Photography: A Public Art, 1840-1939 (4 November 2017 - 14 October 2018)
Events of 1931back to top
Current affairs
Sailors at the Invergordon naval base mutiny in response to pay cuts. The cuts of up to 25% were part of the government's attempt to deal with the Great Depression by reducing public spending. Sailors protested by holding meetings and refusing orders.Dr Harold Moody founds the League of Coloured Peoples, lobbying for equal rights for black people in Britain and for international civil rights.
Art and science
The modern tube map is introduced. Harry Beck's design was unique in following the properties of a circuit diagram rather than the geographical location of the stations.The Vic-Wells Ballet company is founded by Dame Ninette de Valois and housed by Lilian Baylis at Sadler's Wells Theatre. It was granted a Royal Charter in 1957 and became the Royal Ballet.
International
The Second Spanish Republic is established. Following an election dominated by the Republicans, King Alfonso XIII abdicated and a new constitution was drawn up.The Statute of Westminster grants legislative equality to the self-governing Dominions of the British Empire. The Statue decreed that the British Government could no longer make ordinary law for the dominions unless it was at their request and with their consent.
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