Artwork
Her Majesty Leaving Buckingham Palace, June 28, 1838 [left half]
![Her Majesty Leaving Buckingham Palace, June 28, 1838 [left half], by British 19th Century, ink, 1801](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/british-19th-century--her-majesty-leaving-buckingham-palace-june-28-1838-left-half--89605c7062182303-w1024.webp)
Her Majesty Leaving Buckingham Palace, June 28, 1838 [left half] is an ink print by the Romanticist artist British 19th Century. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The print, titled *Her Majesty Leaving Buckingham Palace, June 28, 1838*, depicts Queen Victoria departing the palace on horseback.
About this work
Overview
The print, titled *Her Majesty Leaving Buckingham Palace, June 28, 1838*, depicts Queen Victoria departing the palace on horseback. She rides sidesaddle in a dark dress, accompanied by a footman who steadies her hat with a long pole. The horse’s hooves are shown striking the cobblestones, while a decorative railing frames the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image records a ceremonial moment in the early reign of Victoria, emphasizing royal protocol and the elegance of courtly travel. The queen’s poised posture and the attendant’s supportive role convey the decorum expected of the monarchy, while the detailed surroundings underscore the public nature of the departure.
Technique & Style
The artist combined etching, drypoint, and aquatint in a single plate, allowing a rich interplay of line and tone. Fine etched lines render the intricate details of the queen’s silk gown and the wrought‑iron railing, while drypoint adds depth to the horse’s form. Aquatint supplies soft, atmospheric shadows that suggest the weight of the fabric and the texture of the stone pavement.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after the event in 1838, the print was produced as a commemorative illustration of the young queen’s first public appearance. Copies entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where they are examined under magnification to study the artist’s delicate line work on the railing posts.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist’s short life left behind a quiet obsession with water—whether the churn of a mill wheel, the choppy waves off England’s south coast, or the way light bounces off pond lilies.
