Queen Victoria
1843,Franz Xaver Winterhalter.
Commissioned by Queen Victoria and given to Prince Albert on his birthday, 26 August 1843. This intimate portrait of the Queen with her hair unravelled from its traditional knot was intended as a secret birthday present for her husband, and clearly intended only for his eyes. He immediately declared it his favourite portrait of her. The Queen is wearing a pendant containing a lock of the Prince’s hair.
(Source: alessandrahautumn)
