H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT
H.E. 1844
Size 10 x 8 3/4" (25.5 x 22.2 cm.) Frame: 19 1/2 x 17"
Watercolours & gouache on card, with raised highlights. Signed with initials 'H.E. 1844' (Bottom Right) Double matted, glazed, period shadow box giltwood frame.
Ref. 429 TF1/ENN/ dd.ands > DOVL PRICE CODE F
A handsome half-length portrait of His Royal Highness Prince Albert [Francis Augustus Charles Emmamuel] of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of Saxony K.G., (1819 -1861) later the Prince Consort, at age 28. He is portrayed facing forward, head turned slightly to his right. He wears a scarlet military uniform of a field marshal, with blue sash and star of the Order of the Garter. He holds his plumed headdress in his right hand. His sword hilt is just visible. The delicate skin tones of the face are beautifully painted. Prior to his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840 she wrote, "[Albert] is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same colour as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful.” This fine portrait is based on that of Alfred Edward Chalon (ca. 1841, painter in watercolour to Queen Victoria) wherein the subject is facing left, otherwise the pose is identical.
We believe that in all likelhood this portrait by H.E. was used by George Baxter as a study for his 'Baxter print' of His Royal Highness Prince Albert (1848), it most unusual for an original contemporary portrait of Prince Albert to be found in Canada and this is an important find.
By 1844, Albert had managed to modernize the royal finances and, through various economies, had sufficient capital to purchase Osborne House on the Isle of Wight as a private residence for their growing family.
This fine small portrait will make a fine addition to any collector of Royalty images.
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