Dawning her dark attire, Queen Victoria could personify, at times, the era in which she lived.
Standing on the edge of what would become the age of invention and discovery in arts, science, and technology, she could not know
what an impact she would have on the century after her death in 1901. During her reign of over 50 years, the British created what
is considered the most successful empire the world had ever known.
Paintings, photographs, writings and journalism ushered in a new spirit of informality that gave the Royal Family a popularity
and familiarity covering a quarter of the earth. Travel and communications put England on the cutting edge of world events.
And in the midst of all of this, she set a precedent of accessibility to the human side of life without even trying. She simply would
not entirely let traditions steer what she would do, and somehow began to give the world a first permission to greet the new era with enthusiasm.
You might say she was a radical of sorts, reflecting the struggle between the old and new worlds. Queen Victoria moved forward,
and arrived none too late. But she could do as she pleased. After all, she was The Queen. Themes and strains of enterprising
ingeniuity echo from Queen Victoria's time even into today. The times she lived through continue to shape and often cover the
landscape here in America though decor, architecture, music, and even the still, quiet vestiges of societal mores.
As time almost seems to narrow these days, with speed and calculations of numbers and information, many look back
for some type of perspective to persons such as our Queen Victoria. We in America who know how we broke away from our
Mother Country in 1776, can also realize that Queen Victoria's history is very much a part of our own.
Crowned in 1838, Queen Alexandrina Victoria stepped onto the world stage just as art and technology were merging in
some fantastic ways. Royalty was a prized traditional subject in painting, but when the camera was invented by Sir John Herschel in 1839,
she became the first Queen to be photographed. The technology of the camera was near in its significance to the printing press,
and it made the world and Queen Victoria that much more accessible to people.
The photographic images we have of Queen Victoria reflect a woman who apparently is striving to balance between
her family and kingdom. She and her beloved Prince Albert did much to move the makings of arenas not to be touched by
political influence or restriction. Art, science and technology, in order to survive and thrive, could not ultimately be subject
to fears and limitations. Of course, they always are, but Queen Victoria helped encourage their development by showing
her appreciation of this new spirit of expression and inquisitiveness and simply participating in it.
Some of the photographs of her show an almost looming, dark, shadowy view. Had the pictures been in color, it is sure
that we would see more of her softness as a human being. The eye cannot deny that it was no light task to be who she was.
She was a woman in a time when she could not turn or walk or speak without breaking the traditions of womanhood.
She was bright and definitely put in her position to help turn the tide for what was to come.
"The River Dee" by Queen Victoria
Not only was Queen Victoria an ardent patron of the arts, but a student as well. It is interesting to see
any king or queen display their vulnerability and expose their imagination. The cover painting titled "Painting of Twilight" by
Queen Victoria shows how she definitely had an observant eye for the red sky. Her sense of shadows and light show
the depth of her view. "The River Dee" another painting by Queen Victoria, again accents the warm colored sky and a respect for detail.
She was definitely a lover of landscapes where all is quiet and peaceful. I believe Queen
V. was a real dreamer.
