Queen Alexandra (1844-1925) Signed and dated 1905
Oil on canvas | 265.3 x 170.6 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 404554
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This is the State portrait of Queen Alexandra, a pendant to the portrait of King Edward VII by Luke Fildes (RCIN 404553). The Queen is depicted wearing Coronation robes over a gold dress with the George IV diadem with ropes of pearls and diamonds around her neck; her crown rests on a cushion to the right.
The Queen was apparently reluctant to sit for a portrait, however Sir Arthur Ellis suggested that Fildes produce a sketch, which met with the Queen’s approval. The artist’s son, LV Fildes, records in his biography of his father that personal sittings were given at Buckingham Palace, starting in May 1903 (Fildes, 1968, p167). However permission for the robes and accessories to be taken to the artist's studio was refused, necessitating imitations to be made. Fildes encountered other difficulties, such as the Queen’s request that she might prefer to be painted in profile, which delayed completion of the portrait and it was not exhibited at the Royal Academy until 1905. The portrait was delivered to Buckingham Palace on 21 February 1907 and first hung in the Blue Drawing Room.As with the King’s portrait, a team of artists and copyists was enlisted to produce copies and replicas of the portrait, under the artist’s supervision, for embassies and institutions all over the world. And in June 1906 the Treasury agreed that Fildes could charge £125 for each copy of the Queen’s portrait, this would allow for the additional time involved in copying the greater detail in the painting.
A study for the portrait was presented to King George VI by the artist’s son in 1927 (RCIN 405393). A portrait of Queen Alexandra, when Princess of Wales, with her dog Facey, by Fildes, 1893 is in the Royal Collection. A copy after Fildes see RCIN 406967.
Provenance
Commissioned by King Edward VII
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
265.3 x 170.6 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
324.0 x 214.0 x 18.0 cm (frame, external)
280.8 x 183.2 cm (including paint surface turned back)
Category
Object type(s)
Alternative title(s)
State Portrait of Queen Alexandra (1844-1925)
Queen Alexandra, 1905