TABLEAU VIVANT HÉLÈNE (Princess of Waldeck, 1861-1922, wife of Leopold, 1853-1884, 1st Duke of Albany, son of Queen Victoria)]

Fine signed Portrait Photograph by Mullins of Ryde, Isle of Wight, showing her full length, nearly three quarter face, in Scottish 16th century costume as Mary Beaton, standing reading a book, signed "Helen as Mary Beaton 1890" partly on the mount, a note on the back reads 'Tableaux at Osborne' with the full date, 20th January

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.
The tableaux was entitled 'Fotheringay' and was given before Queen Victoria at Osborne House on the 20th January 1890. It featured Princess Louise as Mary, Queen of Scots, Princess Beatrice, Helen Duchess of Albany, Feo Gleichen and three other courtiers. There is a detailed description of the tableaux in Queen Victoria's journal.


Item Date:  1890

Stock No:  34998      £500

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