File talk:Queen Victoria ca 1840 by Herbert Luther Smith.jpg

This most lovely image of the young Queen Victoria is a copyrighted photograph owned by Maureen E. Berry, Ontario, Canada of an original circa 1838-40 oil painted portraiture of Queen Victoria. The photographer was Michael McLuhan. This photograph was taken in a studio from the actual, original oil portraiture attributed to Herbert Luther Smith. Mr. Smith was the nephew of the Queen's Miniaturist, Sir Wm. Charles Ross.

The original portraiture artwork of this photographic image is painted on canvas and is quite beautiful. The colours are rich with the burgundy and sapphire blue and gold tones throughout and the adept painting of her skin has the effect of a lovely patina to it. The left hand, however, appears unfinished. This is attributed to this artwork being a "study" or a model for a much larger work (5 feet by 10 feet approx.) that hangs in Fishmongers Hall, London Bridge, England as of this writing. The Fishmongers portraiture is almost identical to the study with the exception of the dress colour and style as well as ornate earrings being added to Her Majesty. The small study painting is in quite remarkable condition for its age with no rips or tears, over-painting or repairs to the canvas.

It is documented through the Minutes of the Fishmongers Meeting that this study of the Queen was painted by Herbert Luther Smith to showcase his artistic talent to the Council at Fishmongers that he possessed the skill to easily be able to create a masterpiece portraiture of the Queen for their newly constructed Hall. Naturally, from this he hoped for more work. Research has it that the Queen actually sat for this study portrait and was quite relaxed as the painter was about the same age and they made casual, light-hearted conversation. It is suggested it is due to this fact that the Queen has a little smile on her face, which was rare. Photographs and artwork of Queen Victoria most often portrayed her as being dour and serious.

It is not known how the study made its way to Canada in the past almost 175 years, but it is currently in a private collection in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Collectable teapots inspired by this portraiture were designed by Mrs. Berry in 2008 and were offered for sale on the Queen Victoria ocean liner owned by Cunard Line. They were limited edition and made by a small, now defunct pottery in England. They are now no longer available although Mrs. Berry is receptive to a similar project involving this image.

Mrs. Berry has generously allowed the photograph to be used in the public domain as of this writing. December 5, 2014. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Oldfashionedgal (talk • contribs) 2014-12-05 03:16 (UTC)