Queen Victoria laying the Foundation Stone of the Royal Military Hospital at Netley, 19 May 1856 by William Simpson (1823-1899). Dated May 1856. Watercolour and bodycolour over pencil. 30.2 x 45.7 cm (sheet of paper). RCIN 920234, Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023.
The watercolour shows "the Queen, with Prince Albert, laying the stone, which is suspended on a golden rope. Behind them stand the Princess Royal, Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred" (Royal Collection Trust). The hospital, which was completed in 1863, was demolished in 1966. Simpson as usual is able to convey a sense of an occasion, without extravagance but with a feeling of serious purpose. As Britain's first war artist who had covered the Crimean War, he was all too aware of the need to care for the sick and wounded returning from the front. [Click on the image to enlarge it.] — Jacqueline Banerjee
Bibliography
"Queen Victoria laying the Foundation Stone of the Royal Military Hospital at Netley, 19 May 1856." Royal Collection Trust. Web. 29 October 2023.
Created 28 October 2023