What Queen Victoria's Self-Portrait Reveals?

Insync

oi-Staff

Friday, October 16, 2009, 12:34

A self-portrait by Queen Victoria is to go on public display for the first time. This portrait comes from the personal sketchbook of the queen. The portrait represents many unknown factors for the spectators.

The self-portrait reveals how one of history's more misunderstood monarchs really saw herself. The portrait shows a woman who was fond of music, art and dancing. The portrait is of the young Queen in her gown before a costume ball at Buckingham Palace in 1845.

It is interesting to see how she views herself. She looks very regal because she is wearing a grand dress. She stares right back at you. She looks at herself very closely. She has got a lot of confidence in her eyes. This is a woman who knows her own mind.

The portrait, which is inscribed by Victoria, "Ball dress May 19, 1845", shortly before her 26th birthday, will be part of an exhibition at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, next March.