Queen Victoria

c. 1843

Studio of Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Associated Names
Anonymous Artist

Painter

Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Related Artist, German, 1805 - 1873

This painting depicts a woman in a three-quarter view, capturing her upper body, arms, and voluminous dress. She has her body turned to the left but is looking directly at us with a neutral expression. Her skin is pale, her eyes are blue, and her slightly parted lips are red. Her hair is styled in a middle part and gathered in two braids that lead into a bun, around which is a silver crown or tiara. She wears an ornate gown with a fitted white bodice adorned with lace and silver embellishments on the sleeves. Across her chest is a dark blue sash that has two rows of small gems. Her hands are crossed near her waist, and she holds a pink rose with green leaves in one hand. Her arms also gather up the long lace train of her white skirt. She wears a gold pendant around her neck. The background of the painting shows a dramatic sky filled with large yellow and green clouds.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

William Henry Donner [1864-1953], Montreux, Switzerland; his children, Robert Donner, Elizabeth Donner Hanson, and Dora Donner Ide; gift 1954 to the NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1961

  • Extended loan for use by The White House, Washington, D.C., 1961-1962.

1967

  • Loan for display with permanent collection, Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences (now Chrysler Museum), Norfolk, 1967-1972.

1981

  • Extended loan for use by Justice John Paul Stevens, The Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1981-2019

Bibliography

1924

  • Nagler, K.G. Neues allgemeines Kunstler-Lexikon. 3rd edition, 24 vols (reprint of the 1835-1852 edition). Leipzig, 1924: 24:459.

1965

  • Summary Catalogue of European Paintings and Sculpture. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1965: 140.

1968

  • National Gallery of Art. European Paintings and Sculpture, Illustrations. Washington, 1968: 127, repro.

1975

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Summary Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1975: 376, repro.

1985

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1985: 438, repro.

1987

  • Ormond, Richard and Carol Blackett-Ord. Franz Xaver Winterhalter and the Courts of Europe. Exh. cat. National Portrait Gallery, London, 1987: 190.

2000

  • Eitner, Lorenz. French Paintings of the Nineteenth Century, Part I: Before Impressionism. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. Washington, D.C., 2000: 370-373, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q20187064

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