5. Dec, 2021
Distractions for Queen Victoria at Balmoral: a caricature by Edouard Theodore Vieux.
This is the latest addition to my collection, another original caricature by Edouard Theodore Vieux, who was keen to deflate the pomp and ceremony of Queen Victoria's British Empire. I have three other cartoons by Vieux (please see my page 'Scotland Mocked'). This one is dated 1890.
Here we have Queen Victoria, being 'distracted' at Balmoral. A sword dance is performed in front of her, and to her right stands (presumably) the ever-faithful John Brown ( though by the time of this caricature, he was dead). Behind her stands a stylish, and rather frightening lady-in-waiting, and on the right, a seemingly uninterested attendant revealing a secret that much concerns the French: what does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?
Vieux was convinced that Victoria was an alcoholic. He rarely draws her without reference to drink, and sure enough here she is clutching a bottle.
The caption reads "On distrait la vielle a Balmoral." [We distract the old lady at Balmoral]. A charming vignette from a foreign observer of Victorian Britain.