-
1 of 253523 objects
Princess Helena (1846-1923) Signed and dated 1849
Oil on canvas | 64.5 x 48.6 x 1.2 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405038
-
Painted when the Princess was three years and five months old. Queen Victoria recorded the sitting at Windsor in her Journal. She and Prince Albert 'were detained, watching Winterhalter's picture, a small one, of Lenchen, in her kilt'. 'Lenchen' was the nickname that the family gave to Helena, being derived from the German diminutive of Helena which is Helenchen.
Princess Helena was Queen Victoria's and Prince Albert's third daughter and fifth child. She married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg (1831-1917) at Windsor in July 1866. Queen Victoria stipulated that the couple should live in England and they made their home at Frogmore House in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Winterhalter first came to the English Court in 1842 and remained in favour until his death. He received numerous commissions from Queen Victoria who admired his work greatly. In June 1851 Winterhalter gave the Queen the first of many lessons in oil painting.Provenance
Painted for Queen Victoria (1819-1901); given to the sitter by Edward VII (1841-1910), 2 March 1901; purchased by Queen Elizabeth II (b. 1926), 1965
-
Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
64.5 x 48.6 x 1.2 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
86.8 x 70.25 x 7.2 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Alternative title(s)
Princess Helena (1846-1923) in Highland Dress
Princess Helena (1846-1923), later Princess of Schleswig-Holstein