TABLEAU VIVANT PHOTOGRAPH [ARTHUR (Duke of Connaught, 1850-1942, Son of Queen Victoria, Governor General of Canada) with his sister BEATRICE(Mary Victoria Feodore, 1857-1944, Princess, Daughter & Companion of Queen Victoria) & her husband Prince Henry Maurice of BATTENBERG (1858-1896, Colonel)]

Fine unsigned Tableau Vivant Photograph representing 'The Death of Boadicia' by Hughes & Mullins showing the family dressed in mediaeval costume, the Princes are standing either side of the Princess who is lieing, apparently dying, on a bed, other members of the household are standing behind her, the young woman could be Princess Ella of Hesse, stamped 'carbon print' on the verso, 10" x 8", no place, (Osborne, Isle of Wight) no date, c.

The practice of the Household performing tableau vivants over the New Year was revived some time after the death of the Prince Consort. There were normally several scenes, each representing a letter or word, followed by a final scene depicting the entire word. The Tableau often reproduced paintings - a particularly successful one being 'La Rixe' (The Brawl) after the painting by E. Meissonier which had been given to the Prince Consort in 1856. The scene was a quarrel in a tavern which Queen Victoria considered 'a truthful presentation of the picture'. They were not always so well received - a biblical tableau of Naomi and Ruth in 1888 was described by the Queen as 'not quite so successful as it might have been, owing to the ladies getting the giggles and shaking'.
The Tableau Vivant photo is an unusual form of photography, which Queen Victoria had a passion for from the 1850's. This is one of the later ones which are more difficult to find as the majority of them have remained in Royal Collections.
From the collection of Lady Patricia Ramsay, daughter of the Duke of Connaught.

Item Date:  1890

Stock No:  23735      £1000

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire