Queen Victoria
Thomas Sully American
Sully conceived of his collaboration with Queen Victoria for her commissioned portrait through a series of sittings throughout March, April, and May of 1838. He completed numerous sketches in which he detailed her robes, jewels, throne, and footstool, as well as the various figural positions he envisioned for the finished work. Sully’s final selection for her pose, indicated in this drawing, was highly unconventional, as the youthful, petite monarch appears in mid-step, turning toward the viewer while approaching her throne, rather than seated on it as was typical for royal portraiture. The artist flattered Queen Victoria as both regal and feminine, her upper back sensually exposed and her gaze directed.
