Photo via: Royal Collection Trust
Queen Victoria, who reigned in the UK from 1837 to 1876, was a lady of many talents. And art making was definitely one of them.
Hot on heels on the revelation that she and Prince Albert were accomplished etching artists, comes the publication of a story that the Queen wrote and illustrated herself circa 1829-30, when she was a 10-year old princess.
The Adventures of Alice Laselles tells the exploits of a 12-year old girl studying at boarding school. It includes wicked stepmothers, a one-eyed orphan, cats, and dogs—pretty much everything you need to make a successful children’s book.
But what is perhaps most riveting is the delightful illustrations, which evidence the Queen-to-be’s knack for drawing, color and composition.
According to the Telegraph, the book, which will be published on June 8, has an original dedication that reads: “To my dear Mamma, this my first attempt at composition is affectionately and dutifully inscribed by her affectionate daughter, Victoria.”
Crucially, Queen Victoria was also a bit of a visionary. Her Adventures of Alice Laselles predated by more than 30 years Lewis Carroll’s iconic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which was first published in 1865.
Queen Victoria is not the only British Royal who had a penchant for art. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, studied art history at university and is keen on visiting art exhibitions whenever she has the chance.