Princess Beatrice (1857-1944). 1860
Watercolour on ivory laid on card | 6.3 x 5.4 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 422018
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On 15 February 1860 Queen Victoria wrote to Victoria, Princess Royal, 'I send you today Miss Dixon's Miniature of "Pincey Beatrice" to look at, wh. I am sure you will be charmed with. You may keep it till the Messenger of the 25 if you like, in order that it may be seen and admired. It is the little coiffure she wears on great occasions, & the dress is one Gd Mama gave her for Xmas. I think it is a lovely little Miniature'. The Crown Princess responded: 'The miniature of dear Beatrice is charming. Many thanks for sending it. I shall show it to the others and to many who I know will be interested in seeing it. She is much prettier, dear little love, her sweet little face can never be completely rendered in a picture as she changes every minute – when she furrows her little forehead is so pretty'. The Queen was 'sure you wld be pleased with our darling Baby's Miniature, tho' nothing can, as you say, be quite pretty enough for that little Love. She is prettier, & cleverer every day, but a most willful [sic] little thing'. The experience of sitting for Annie Dixon at such a young age was clearly a trial for the infant Princess; the following summer Princess Alice wrote to Lady Caroline Barrington from Osborne: 'Miss Dixon is coming here today, much to Beatrice's horror, but she is not going to paint her, but her Nephew and Niece [i.e. Prince William and Princess Charlotte of Prussia]'.
Inscribed on the reverse in ink: VictoriaProvenance
Probably one of the unspecified miniatures commissioned by the Queen from Annie Dixon, 1860
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Watercolour on ivory laid on card
Measurements
6.3 x 5.4 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
5.5 x 4.7 cm (sight)
7.7 x 7.0 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Vic Min : Remington, V., 2010. Victorian Miniatures in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen – Vic Min 237Cust 1910 : Cust, L., 1910. Windsor Castle: Portrait Miniatures, London – Cust 1910 19/17