The Stuart Ball at Buckingham Palace, 13 June 1851
signed and dated 1851Pencil, watercolour and bodycolour | 30.6 x 45.2 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 919904
This watercolour captures a scene from the last of three costume balls held by Victoria and Albert, instigated by them to support Britain’s textile industry. The theme of this third ball was the reign of Charles II, and Eugène-Louis Lami worked closely with the couple to design their costumes. Victoria thought they were ʻreally beautiful & so correctʼ, and her exquisite dress survives in the Royal Collection today.