Queen Victoria's Sketchbook

by Marina Warner

1979 U.S Edition, Crown Publishers. Charming volume of Queen Victoria's sketches of her family and travel landscapes . If you thought Victoria an unfeeling prude, these mostly colored sketches show a different facet of her personality.

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Victorian, Royalty

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Marina Sarah Warner is a British novelist, short story writer, historian and mythographer. She is known for her many non-fiction books relating to feminism and myth.

She is a professor in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre at the University of Essex, and gave the Reith Lectures on the BBC in 1994 on the theme of 'Managing Monsters: Six Myths of Our Time.'

Reviews

[Negin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve loved Queen Victoria and Prince Albert since I was a child, although loved is probably an understatement! I had often read that Queen Victoria enjoyed sketching and painting. This biography with Queen Victoria’s artwork is a delight for anyone who feels the same way. Although some of the writing was a bit dull, the illustrations made up for it. My favorites were the few that she had of Prince Albert, her children, and the landscapes. Overall, I really enjoyed this chance to get a tiny glimpse into Queen Victoria’s life.

Queen Victoria's own sketch of Princess Victoria, Princess Royal, and Prince Albert (The future Edward VII), playing in their nursery.

[Hon Lady Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been perusing Queen Victoria's drawings after coming across this stunning sketch of Albert's dog Eos in particular, as she was kind enough to even leave me samples of her hatchings (thank you Ma'am!).

This particular sketch was made on 28 August 1840 under the guidance of Sir George Hayter (who was working on the Royal Marriage portrait, see here) but after a three week failed stint with Edward Lear*, her main tutor and the teacher of her children for over twenty years had been William Leighton Leitch. This sheet, one of many by Leitch surviving in the Royal Collection, is a visual version of the lessons he gave Victoria, who was pleased with his teaching methods, declaring after a session:

"‘This is wonderful, and I am delighted; but I am surprised that I have never had this explained before.’"

Girl, same.

___

* "At the end of July Queen Victoria returned to London and the lessons were resumed in Buckingham Palace. It was probably here that two embarrassing incidents occurred that Lear likes to recall. He was accustomed now to mixing with earls and viscounts, but he had no experience of the finer points of Court etiquette ― though he did know that he enjoyed standing on the rug in front of the fire warming his coat-tails. Each time he took up this position facing the Queen, the attendant Lord-in-Waiting invited him to see something on the far side of the room. The charade was repeated several times and no one explained what was going on. It was only later that Lear realised that a subject must not stand with his back to the fire in the presence of monarchs."
- from Edward Lear: The Life of a Wanderer by Vivien Noakes

[Ghost of the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this was a wonderful surprise and such an enjoyable read!
In essence a biography of Queen Victoria might make you think oh no not another one! However in fact this is more than just your average biography, this is a story of her life told with the aide and assistance of her sketchbook.
Showing her evolution as a skilled amateur artist the sketchbook also allows us a glimpse into life in England over the course of the 19th century.
The fashion, music and theatre of the times are shown through her drawings and in the process we get to see a Queen Victoria that's surprisingly human and....sounds weird I know.... relatable.
It's strangely sweet to see the people, the places, the events that populated her life....for me personally it was a more intimate and real experience than reading her journals ( which isn't surprising given that those were heavily edited after her death by Princess Beatrice).
This is most definitely a must must read for anyone interested in the Victorian Age and the woman who's reign defined it.
Happy Readings!

[Dagmar1927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd read many books telling me how good at drawing and painting Queen Victoria was and seen the odd engraving of a daschund or two, but I found this in a second hand bookshop one day and it was the best use of £2 I've ever known.

Not only is Queen Victoria an exceptionally talented artist, she also manages to bring her subjects alive. My particular favourites are her sketch of Lord Melbourne looking just like the old roue he undoubtedly was and the drawing of the two year old future Kaiser, Wilhelm II. Her landscapes are also terrific and this book was a brilliant buy.

I'd recommend it to anyone, whether they know anything about the period or queen or not.

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book! Probably 4 stars for readability and content, but it gets the 5th star for the novelty. It is essentially a biography of Queen Victoria using her own sketchbook as the guide. This is such an utterly fascinating way to learn about someone!

Recommended for anyone interested in Queen Victoria or the time period. You get a great glimpse into politics and performance art of the day as well!

[Dna · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first clicked to borrow this from the Open Library (moment of reverence...), it was kind of by accident. I had put it on my to-read list, but didn't think I'd get to it for a few years at least. This was a pleasant surprise, as it really helped humanize Queen Victoria and, by extension, the people who make up "royal" families. QV appears to have been a curious, lively, and sometimes funny young lady. Her sketches and paintings reveal great (amateur) skill and devotion to chronicling her life and the lives of others. Did she live in a bubble? Yes. But what a great little bubble!

I want to reproduce a couple of her watercolor paintings and frame them. One of a woman in a royal purple gown had me caught up for DAYS. I couldn't stop staring at her gilded robe, or the impish face QV gave to her.

Great book. Thanks a million to Open Library for providing easy access to such amazing bits of history!

[Louise Culmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The drawings and watercolours by Queen Victoria are very interesting, Marina Warner's text fairly interesting. The queen had quite a talent or capturing her subjects, her sketches of her children are attractive, and there are many of theatrical performers, including one of the first circus riders. Sometimes a picture is described but not shown, which is rather annoying. I would have prefered more pictures and less text.

[Susan Branch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This must be where Prince Charles gets his talent. I found this in a used bookstore ~ a wonderfully illustrated biography.

[Lauren Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I finished this book 2 days shy of having read it over a span of 6 months. Of course I wasn't reading it every night, I'd even go weeks without picking it up. The text was often bland and I had to be in the right sort of mood in order to enjoy it.

That being said, it was very very cool to be able to read about Queen Victoria's life while seeing the art she created during different periods of it. Overall I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it, just know it might take some time to get through...

Queen Victoria was truly talented! And I learned so much about her and her life through this book, I loved being able to see her work (as I said before) and truly appreciate it.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed looking through the pictures and reading the story. Some of the names were lost on me, and some of the artistic commentary did not make a lot of sense to me. The book was loosely chronological following Queen Victoria's sketches. A cool find at a cool bookstore and a good book for a long drive!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtfully compiled illustrations created by Queen Victoria, who was skilled in drawing and painting. I found some of the text to be difficult to follow, but thought that the pictures included, along with their captions, gave a wonderful glimpse into the life of this long-serving and fascinating Queen.

[Elizabeth Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learnt much about her from her drawings and paintings. However, Marina Warner has also written a biography using the sketchbooks and journals as a guide to her life, her thoughts and feelings about life. A thoroughly enjoyable, light (not scholarly) read.

[Ruth Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, personal look at the life of Queen Victoria. If you want the facts about her life and reign I'm sure there are better books out there, but I don't think you can get the artwork in this book anywhere else. A relaxing, cosy read.

[Jen Castaneda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading this book. It is as close as I will ever get to Queen Victoria! I was curious about the lady who gave us the era of beautiful houses. Turns out she was much more playful and joyous than I imagined.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was okay. I did enjoy Victoria’s pictures, especially of the cows! The book was published before I was born. #mmdchallenge

[Cassandra C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Curious.

[Bina Artiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the English was hard to understand, especially since it's from Britain 1979.

I really enjoyed her sketches and watercolour paintings and was inspired by some.

It was a good insight into Queen Victoria's life.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful sketches, the text was a little confusing.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful well-written book. It was the perfect book to read as the 3rd in line to the English throne was born! Thanks to Susan Branch for her suggestion. :)