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Osborne Bay dated 25 July 1860

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Date

25 July 1860

Description

A watercolour showing a view of Osborne Bay. A lawn is shown in the foreground, with a path cutting through the centre. Trees are shown to the right and at the edge of the bay to the left. The sea is shown in the background, with two sail boats shown to the upper right.
Inscribed lower right: VR July 25 1860.
The Osborne Estate, on the Isle of Wight, was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845. Work was started straight away on rebuilding Osborne House in the Italianate style, to designs by Prince Albert, and the royal family stayed there for lengthy periods each year. While staying at Osborne, Queen Victoria often spent time sketching in the grounds, sometimes accompanied by a tutor. In her journal entry of 25 July 1860, Queen Victoria describes how "After luncheon [she painted] with Mr Leitch". William Leighton Leitch started instructing the queen in watercolour technique in 1842, continuing to teach her until migraines forced him to retire 22 years later.
Descriptive Medium: 'Pencil, watercolour', 'pencil, watercolour'