Princess Victoria, Duchess of Kent and Strathearn; Queen Victoria

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Victoria, Duchess of Kent and Strathearn; Queen Victoria

by and published by William Skelton, after Sir William Beechey
line engraving, published 1823
13 5/8 in. x 11 in. (345 mm x 280 mm) plate size; 17 1/8 in. x 13 1/8 in. (436 mm x 332 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D11130

Sittersback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Sir William Beechey (1753-1839), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 252 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
  • William Skelton (1763-1848), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 60 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In part a continuation of the fashion for charming mother and daughter portraits, this seemingly sentimental image also had a serious dynastic purpose. Thought to have been originally commissioned by Prince Leopold, this portrait by the established court artist, William Beechey, helped to assert little Victoria's rightful claim to the throne by showing her clapsing the miniature portrait of her deceased royal father. Known as 'Drina' in her formative years, she was not officially recognised as the heir apparent until 1830, when King William IV came to the throne.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D10705: Princess Victoria, Duchess of Kent and Strathearn; Queen Victoria (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Events of 1823back to top

Current affairs

Gaols Act is passed to build new prisons, raise standards in old ones and institute regular inspections. It is prompted by the vigorous campaigning of reformers such as Elizabeth Fry, leader of the Ladies Association for the Improvement of Female Prisoners in Newgate Prison.
Anti-Slavery Committee is founded in London.

Art and science

Architect, Robert Smirke begins construction of the British Museum.
Thomas Wakley founds The Lancet, the first weekly medical journal and important mouthpiece of medical reform.
Charles Babbage begins work on the first calculating machine.
Charles Macintosh invents waterproof fabric.

International

Catholic Association is founded by Daniel O'Connell in Ireland in an attempt to mobilise and politicise the entire Irish Catholic population in a systematic challenge to the ruling Protestant ascendancy.
War breaks out between France and Spain.
English missionary John Smith died in prison having been sentenced to be hanged for failing to take up arms against slaves in Demerara.

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