Queen Victoria marries Prince Albert of Saxon-Coburg-Gotha on February 10th, 1840 (Arnstien, 47). A year after, Britain wins the First Opium War against China in 1841, and Hong Kong is ceded to the British (PBS). Russia becomes a larger imperialist threat and dubs the Ottoman Empire as “the sick man of Europe” (NPG). The Ottoman Empire itself is entering the tanzimat period (1839-1865), a period of political reform (Göl,125). Finally, Boom in the railway industry, and services are made cheaper and more regular. York also becomes a hub of transportation (NPG).
The Artifact
The Marriage of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria
Charles Eden Wagstaff & George Hayter
1844
25.63” x 37”
Print: Reproduction
Ink on Paper
The Title
The title indicates the two artists, Charles E. Wagstaff and George Hayter, as well as the publisher, who is mentioned below the title: "London, published Nov. 9, 1844 by Henry Graves & Co. Printsellers to her Majesty & H.R.H. Prince Albert, 6 Pall Mall." Above this, yet below the title, it reads: "Is by special permission humbly dedicated to Her Majesty by her dutiful subjects and servants". The information within and the language of the title, combined with the knowledge that this painting was reproduced, allows for the assumption that this was artwork that could be distributed for the masses, like propaganda that could be hung up in living rooms.
The man just right of the middle raising a sword is interesting. The non-English characters on the scabbard seem non-English; this perhaps references the victory of the First Opium War in 1841. After all, we know this painting was done over time, as Victoria and Albert had to be "sitters" for it (NPG).
The Girl
Assuming that this painting is propaganda for the masses, the girl on the bottom left plays an interesting role. She is the only non-adult, making her the lowest-ranked person in the picture. Interestingly enough, she also is the only character staring out of the picture at the viewers. This could invite the common Victorian into a scene of celebration involving their beloved Queen, allowing them to join the aristocracy in their imaginations.
Comparison to Jane Eyre
There are actually a few differences found between Jane Eyre and The Marriage of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. Firstly, Mr. Rochester proposes to Jane (Bronte, 340), while Victoria proposed to Albert (Arnstein, 47). Jane Eyre actually provides better insight on marriage proposals, since men more commonly were the ones to ask for the lady's hand in marriage, while Victoria bypassed that gender role. Additionally, the ceremony that Queen Victoria experience appears ostentatious, as displayed by the large crowd of aristocrats, the high ceiling, the gothic architecture. Jane, on the other hand, experiences rather quaint ceremonies (both her unsuccessful and successful weddings) (Bronte, 374-376, 552)
Questions for Thought
-This painting was reproduced on November 9th, 1844, though the date of the wedding was February 10th, 1840. Why this gap in time?
-Does it make sense that this painting is propaganda? Why or why not?
Bibliography
Arnstein, Walter L. Queen Victoria. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. Print.
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview, 1999. Print.
Gol, Ayla. "Imagining the Turkish Nation through 'othering' Armenians*."Nations and Nationalism 11.1 (2005): 121-39. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.
"Opium Throughout History." PBS. PBS, 18 Nov. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heroin/etc/history.html>
Stevenson, Robert Louis. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Ed. Martin A. Danahay. 3rd ed. Toronto: Broadview, 2015. Print. Broadview.
"The Marriage of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria." National Portrait Gallery. National Portrait Gallery, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw196496/The-Marriage-of-Her-Most-Gracious-Majesty-Queen-Victoria#timeline>.
Wagstaff, Charles Eden, and George Hayter. The Marriage of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. 1844. Ink on paper. Permanent Collection, Wheaton College.
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