[]
Your ongoing selection
Asset(s) Assets
Your quote 0

Your selection

Clear selection
{"event":"pageview","page_type1":"news","page_type2":"news_case_studies","language":"en","user_logged":"false","user_type":"ecommerce","nl_subscriber":"false"}

The Royal Collection

The Royal Collection spans more than 500 years, although few items survive from before King Henry VIIICharles I was a passionate collector of Italian works and the collection grew substantially during his 17th century reign. Although many of the works were sold after his execution in 1649, some were recovered after the Restoration of 1660. George III was responsible for adding many of the prints and drawings, while Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were keen collectors of both contemporary and old master paintings. 

Many of the images from the Royal Collection are available to view online. Please contact our sales/research team regarding sourcing further imagery from the collection. Read the official announcement about our partnership with the Royal Collection

The Nubian Giraffe by Jacques-Laurent Agasse

The giraffe in this painting was one of three giraffes given as gifts by the Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt to England's George IV, Charles X of France and Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor in Vienna. The English giraffe was injured after the long journey from Alexandria and could only stand supported by a pulley. The artist omitted this detail and instead depicted the animal elegantly leaning down to drink milk proffered by two Egyptian keepers standing next to Edward Cross, the proprietor of the London Zoo. In the background of the painting, the cows that supplied the giraffe’s milk on the journey from Egypt can be seen grazing. George's beloved giraffe survived for less than two years and was stuffed by celebrated ornithologist, John Gould.

(detail) The Nubian Giraffe, 1827 (oil on canvas) by Jacques-Laurent Agasse/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
(detail) The Nubian Giraffe, 1827 (oil on canvas) by Jacques-Laurent Agasse/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci

Most likely acquired in the late 17th century by Charles II, the Royal Collection has around 600 drawings by  Leonardo da Vinci. Although a celebrated artist in his time for his paintings, he was not yet known for his scientific and engineering exploits, which were recorded in his notebooks and in thousands of drawings. Leonardo was particularly interested in understanding the phenomena of nature, as it related to painting. Anatomy, both human and animal, botany and the movement of water are just a few of the subjects that da Vinci explored in his sketches.

(detail) Studies of the foetus in the womb, c. 1510-13 (pen & ink with wash over red and black chalks on paper) by Leonardo da Vinci/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
(detail) Studies of the foetus in the womb, c. 1510-13 (pen & ink with wash over red and black chalks on paper) by Leonardo da Vinci/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

(detail) A branch of a blackberry, c.1505-10 (chalk & white heightening on paper) by Leonardo da Vinci/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
(detail) A branch of a blackberry, c.1505-10 (chalk & white heightening on paper) by Leonardo da Vinci/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Maharaja Dalip Singh by Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Dalip Singh was the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab region of India. He was only five years old when he inherited the throne and when the British crown claimed his kingdom in 1846, Singh relinquished his title and property, converted to Christianity and surrendered the famous Koh-i-nûr diamond to Queen Victoria. In return for his loyalty and obedience to the British government, he was given a handsome pension. In 1854 he visited London and grew close the royal family, and it was on this visit that the royal artist, Franz Winterhalter painted Singh. Although he married and settled in England, in 1882 Singh publicized his discontent with his stipend in The Times, which alienated him from the Queen. He later converted back to Sikhism and settled in Paris. Singh reconciled with the Queen only a few years before his death and he was buried in England.

(detail) The Maharaja Dalip Singh, 1854 by Franz Xaver Winterhalter/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
(detail) The Maharaja Dalip Singh, 1854 by Franz Xaver Winterhalter/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Pope Pius VII by Sir Thomas Lawrence

Commissioned by George IV, while he was still Prince Regent, as part of a series of 25 portraits of leaders, soldiers and diplomats associated with the downfall of Napoleon I. Pope Pius VII, born Luigi Barnaba Chiaramonti, was the most recognized man of the 19th century, apart from Napoleon. Noted for his passive resistance to the French emporer, he also led the burgeoning nationalist movement in Italy – the Risorgimento. Pope Pius restored the buildings of Rome and consolidated the treasured national collections, which enabled Rome to become the spiritual and cultural capital of Europe. The painting of Pius was recognized as a masterpiece in Lawrence’s lifetime, not only for the mastery of colour and brushwork but also the setting and symbolism. The Braccio Nuovo, built to house the finest antiquities from the Vatican collections can be seen behind Pope Pius in his elaborate throne.

(detail) Pope Pius VII, 1819 by Sir Thomas Lawrence/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
(detail) Pope Pius VII, 1819 by Sir Thomas Lawrence/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Charlotte and her two eldest sonsThe Tribuna of the Uffizi by Johann Zoffany

The German-born Zoffany was paid handsomely to paint the royal family of  George III and Queen Charlotte and their children. The scenes were very charming and Zoffany was the first artist to depict members of the royal family so informally, an example being Queen Charlotte at her toilette (bottom left). Zoffany was a major artist in the genre of conversation pieces, or 18th century paintings of identifiable persons in a small group setting. Another famous work by Zoffany is a combination of a conversation piece and another tradition from 17th century Holland, known as gallery views (or wunderkammers). The amazing thing about Zoffany's Tribuna is that all of the works and people depicted in this painting are real and identifiable. Check out some of the works Zoffany included in his painting.

Queen Charlotte with her two eldest sons, c.1765 by Johann Zoffany/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Charlotte with her two eldest sons, c.1765 by Johann Zoffany/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Tribuna of the Uffizi, 1772-77 by Johann Zoffany/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Tribuna of the Uffizi, 1772-77 by Johann Zoffany/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Charles I in three positions by Sir Anthony van Dyck

Looking rather like a mugshot, the unusual portrait of  Charles I forebodes the monarch’s grim future with storm clouds circling at his back. Although painted in happier times, fourteen years later Charles I would be declared a “tyrant, traitor and murderer and public enemy of the good people” and be executed. The painting was commissioned not as a work of art in its own right, but as a descriptive model of the King for a commissioned sculpture by Bernini. Because van Dyck knew his painting would be seen by the leading studio of Rome, the painter exceeded the original requirements and created a splendid painting featuring three different costumes complete with intricate lace collars, and displayed his talent for capturing flesh tones and the subtle colour differences of Charles’ hair.

Charles I in three positions, 1635 (oil on canvas) by Sir Anthony van Dyck/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Charles I in three positions, 1635 (oil on canvas) by Sir Anthony van Dyck/ The Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Related Content

Bridgeman Images is proud to represent the Archive of the Israel Museum, a beacon of art, history, and archaeology.
Victoria Ginn is a fine art photographer born in New Zealand. Her work explores individuality, landscape, and culture. Let's find out more about her striking work with our interview.
Bridgeman images is proud to represent the Photo Josse archive, a true master in the realm of art photography.