Queen Victoria by Matthew Noble

Queen Victoria

Matthew Noble (c.1817-1876)

1858

Carrarra marble on a polished red granite pedestal

Vestibule, Leeds Town Hall

The Headrow, Leeds

The royal opening of the new Town Hall in Leeds was a grand affair. The first thing that the Queen would have seen on entering the vestibule of the building was the statue of herself, executed by Matthew Noble. Above it was the fine domed ceiling, bearing the names of Europe, Asia, Africa and India — seemingly putting her at the very centre of the world. No wonder she knighted the Mayor of Leeds during the ceremony that followed [continued below].

Related Material

  • Leeds Town Hall
  • Prince Albert, in the opposite niche
  • Queen Victoria (homepage)
  • Photograph, caption and text by Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011.

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