Art of a Princess: A Highland Scene, attributed to Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.
A Highland Scene, an original watercolour painting attributed to Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.
I have a painting, sold to me as the work of Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (6th child of Queen Victoria). Proving such things is never easy, but I am happy to think that it probably is her work. She was an accomplished artist and sculptor, and this is an attractive Highland scene of a good quality.
A pair of Victorian music sheet covers, lavish and expensive printed colour images for the time (c1871).
Princess Louise, 6th child and 4th daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, comes across as quite a feisty character: she was an ardent feminist, a proponent of higher education, and her choice of husband, John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, did not gain the approval of all the members of the Royal Family.
Victorian society was clearly excited by the match, as these music sheet covers show.
Detail of the Highland Scene.
The Marquess of Lorne was heir to the Duke of Argyll. The family seat at Inveraray can be seen in the distance.
The engagement was also celebrated in the press. The cartoon on the left, by Joseph Swain, appeared in Punch magazine in October, 1870. On the right is a scarcer version found on a CDV. "Now Scotland's Chieftan Triumph's in the Strife, Secures a Lovely Princess, and a Happy Wife."
One other small item I have reflects the public enthusiasm for the wedding, a small photograph titled "Presentation of Ponies and Carriage to H.R.H. Princess Louise, marchioness of Lorne at Inveraray Castle. Aug. 1871."
Victorian photograph , August 1871. Photographer unknown.
Detail of the above.
Remarkably, the match was the first union of a daughter of British Monarch and a British subject since 1515, but it proved to be not a happy one. The marriage was childless, and they drifted apart, with some speculation that the Duke may have preferred the company of men.
John Campbell, the Marquess of Lorne.
One imagines that the artistic activities of the Princess were some comfort to her as she struggled with relationships, both marital and familial. I am happy to think that my small painting is one such example of her work.
