Meditate with... Edwin Landseer (1802-1873)

Meditate with… Edwin Landseer (1802-1873)

Who is the central character in this painting? What if it was black? Painted by this English artist, already very popular at the time, this impressive equestrian portrait leaves him, in fact, a wide berth. No doubt firstly because the artist himself has been plunged into the darkness of depression for several years. But also because the great princely palace of Osborne, which can be seen in the background, is in mourning. In 1861, in fact, after twenty years of marriage, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1819-1861) died. It is his widow, Queen Victoria (1819-1901), who poses here. She sits side-saddle on her thoroughbred Flora, with whom she shares her deep black coat with silver highlights. The three dogs, also black, seem stopped in their tracks.

This equestrian portrait was requested by the Queen to let the royal couple’s detractors know that their stay here, on the Isle of Wight, far from London, is not a way of protecting themselves from the vagaries of existence. On May 8, 1865, the Queen had her first photograph taken. “Sad and alone” are the words that allow her to describe her state. The painter is inspired by the image to compose this homage to this woman who will survive her husband for forty years. In her mourning, the queen plays her role: she consults her mail, which she then drops on the ground, next to her pair of gloves. There remains the man in black who holds the mount. This is John Brown, his Scottish “ghillie”. In other words, a gamekeeper who became his trusted man. And with whom she will develop a lasting and sincere friendship. Because life continues and renews itself. Against all the darkness in the world.

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