Search results

Start typing

Queen Victoria's Palace
This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.
PRINCE ALBERT, PRINCE CONSORT (1819-61)

Gotz of Berlichingen and the Pilgrim.

dated 8 Feb 1841

Etching on India laid paper | 20.3 x 15.1 cm (platemark) | RCIN 816708

A later state of RCIN 816134. An etching showing a scene from Goethe's drama Götz von Berlichingen. An elderly knight in armour is shown to the right, full-length, standing and facing left. He is holding a tankard in one hand and striking a stone table with his other mailed fist. An old pilgrim is shown seated to the left, drinking and looking up at the knight. Inscribed lower right: Albert Febr 8 1841. inv. delt. & sclt.

Prince Albert's first etching was made on 28 August 1840, under the guidance of Sir George Hayter who was working on his oil painting of the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (RCIN 407165) at the time.

Hayter was responsible for the acid-biting of all of the early plates but was soon replaced in this task by Queen Victoria's dresser, Marianne Skerrett. The London dealers and publishers Colnaghi & Co were also used for some of the more complicated plates. A printing press was set up at Buckingham Palace in 1840 by the firm of Holdgate, but some of the royal couple's plates were also printed by a Mr Brown of Castle-Street, Windsor, in the autumn of that year.

Scott-Elliott no. 77

    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.