Maharajah Duleep Singh (1838-1893)

Baron Marochetti (1805-1867)

1857

Marble

Osborne House (Durbar Corridor)

Isle of Wight

Duleep Singh's bust was commissioned by Queen Victoria as a birthday gift for Prince Albert in 1856, but the coloured version (similar to the coloured bust of the Princess Gouramma of Coorg) did not suit the Queen, and Marochetti produced this white marble one to replace it. [Commentary continued below.]

Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee

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