FRANCIS JOHN WILLIAMSON (1833-1920)
Prince Albert Victor (1864-1892), Duke of Clarence and Avondale signed & dated 1892
82.0 x 31.0 x 51.5 cm (whole object) | RCIN 42535
Pavilion Principal Stairs/Vestibule, Osborne House
Carved white marble bust of the Duke of Clarence, sporting a moustache, and wearing a military uniform with frogging, with three Orders, including the Garter, and one medal on his chest; on a square waisted socle.
WILLIAM THEED (1804-91)
Prince Albert (1819-1861) signed & dated 1862
Marble | 75.5 x 54.0 x 31.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 42533
Pavilion Principal Stairs/Vestibule, Osborne House
Completed in the summer of 1862, this commemorative portrait bust of Prince Albert by the English sculptor William Theed was commissioned by Queen Victoria shortly after her husband’s death in December 1861. Prince Albert is shown wearing a loose classical toga clasped at his left shoulder with a profile cameo of Queen Victoria. According to Royal Archive records on 10th July 1862, Theed was paid £105 for this work. The bust stands on an octagonal pedestal which was designed by Queen Victoria’s second daughter, Princess Alice. It is decorated with cherub masks and swags on each side, and a floral and fruit arrangement with four shells around the base. It took Theed one year to complete and in March 1864 he received £250 in payment for it. The bust and the pedestal were ready to be set up in the Hall at Osborne House on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s 24th wedding anniversary on 10th February 1864.
Provenance
Executed for Queen Victoria in 1862
FRANCIS JOHN WILLIAMSON (1833-1920)
Prince Leopold (1853-1884), Duke of Albany signed & dated 1883
RCIN 42536
Pavilion Principal Stairs/Vestibule, Osborne House
Carved white marble bust of Prince Leopold with a moustache and small goatee beard; wearing a uniform with a tartan sash over his left shoulder; a row of medals and the Stars of the Thistle and Garter on his chest, with a neck order; on a marble plinth.