Queen Victoria (1819-1901) Reigned 1837-1901

Sir George Hayter (1792 - 1871)

Oil on canvas

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Image of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) Reigned 1837-1901
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: USA
    City: Washington DC
    Place: British Embassy

    The original portrait by Sir George Hayter, from which Hayter made this autograph copy, is held in the Royal Collection and is currently on display at Holyrood House, Edinburgh. It was painted to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria, when she was just 19. Sittings for the work began at Buckingham Palace in July 1838. During one sitting Victoria reportedly posed with a hearth brush from the fireplace to serve as a sceptre. The completed work was retained by the artist so that copies could be made for presentation and state purposes. This is one of several autograph copies, painted specifically for display in British embassies and legations. In addition to Washington, versions were supplied between 1840 and 1900 to embassies in Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, St Petersburg, Constantinople and Madrid; and to legations in Peking, Tokyo and Tehran.

  • About the artist
    George Hayter was born in London. He entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1808 and later taught drawing and painting to Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince Regent. In 1815 he was made Painter of Miniatures and Portraits to Charlotte and her husband, Prince Leopold. In the next year he travelled to Italy with the support of the Duke of Bedford and entered the Accademia di San Luca as its youngest ever member. Although Hayter returned to London in 1818, he moved back to Italy in 1826 and was in Paris from 1828 to 1831. Hayter settled in England in the early 1830s, was appointed Principal Painter-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria in 1841 and knighted the following year. Despite his successes, he was never admitted to the Royal Academy.
  • Explore
    People
    Victoria (1819 - 1901)
    Places
    Subjects
    royal portrait, lion, woman, 19th century costume, ceremonial costume, robe, dress, tassel, throne, sceptre, crown, Queen, unicorn, curtain, wall hanging, cushion
    Materials & Techniques
    canvas, oil, oil painting
  • Details
    Artist
    Sir George Hayter (1792 - 1871)
    Title
    Queen Victoria (1819-1901) Reigned 1837-1901
    Date
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 213.30 cm, width: 142.20 cm
    Acquisition
    Commissioned from the artist, probably before 1900
    GAC number
    0/669