bavarikon4UZobel, George J.: Her Majesty Queen Victoria and Prince Arthur 1850
In 1850, Franz Xaver Winterhalter depicted Queen Victoria and her third son, Arthur William, on her lap on the upper terrace of Osborne House. Prince Arthur was born on 1 May. The etching, which appeared two years later, reproduced the shimmering summery atmosphere of the scene executed in bright colours and in a light brushstroke. The oil painting was a birthday present for Prince Albert on 26 August 1850. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert used every occasion – and with a growing family of finally nine children there were many – to present each other with gifts consisting of works of art such as paintings, sculptures, jewellery and other souvenirs. Theirs was an unusual marriage for the times and for the aristocracy, since it was based on the couple’s real affection and on their shared passion for art and culture. The children played a minor role for Victoria and in her eyes rather disturbed the relationship with the idolised husband. Nonetheless, she had great pleasure in her favourite son, Arthur, as she described in a letter to Albert a few years later: “This child is dear, dearer than any of the others put together, thus after you he is the dearest and most precious object to me on earth.”