Artwork
The Opening of the Great Exhibition by Queen Victoria on 1 May 1851
The Opening of the Great Exhibition by Queen Victoria on 1 May 1851 is an oil painting by the Realist artist Henry Courtney Selous. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Opening of the Great Exhibition by Queen Victoria on 1 May 1851 is an 1852 oil painting by Henry Courtney Selous, capturing a pivotal moment in British history. The work depicts the inaugural ceremony of the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children on a central dais, surrounded by dignitaries including the Duke of Wellington, government ministers, and foreign representatives. The Archbishop of Canterbury presides, blessing the event, emphasizing the union of royalty, religion, and international diplomacy.
Technique & Style
Selous employed meticulous detail to render the grand interior of the Crystal Palace, complete with a central tree, high ceilings, numerous windows, and balconies filled with spectators. The level of realism and the composition's complexity reflect the artist's skill in capturing a crowded, celebratory scene.
History & Provenance
Originally exhibited in a Trafalgar Square building in May 1852, the painting gained widespread recognition through reproduced prints. It is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection in South Kensington, acquired in 1889, fittingly housed in an institution founded with proceeds from the Great Exhibition.
Context
The Great Exhibition, a landmark event in the Industrial Era, showcased global achievements in industry and culture. Selous's painting not only commemorates its opening but also captures the essence of Victorian pride in technological advancement and international relations.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Courtney Selous (b. Panton Street, Haymarket, London 1803; d. Beaworthy, Devon, 24 September 1890) was an English painter, illustrator and lithographer.
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