I’m not going to lie, the V&A is my favourite museum that I’ve ever visited. Even taking the Dior exhibition out of it, you literally come around every corner to another fascinating piece. (Not that I want to take Dior out of it…) And while the V&A tends to be known for its fashion exhibitions, their artwork collection is incredible. This particular piece is hanging on its own, in the Leighton Rooms. (More on that later!) The full length painting of the Marchioness of Londonderry is one of my favourite paintings of all time. And after seeing it in person, my thought was confirmed!
The Leighton Rooms
As I said above, this particular painting hangs in the Leighton Rooms. You can find them on the first floor (aka second for NA folks) at the V&A. The Leighton Rooms showcase the different architectural changes to the museum over the years. (And it is quite a range of changes…) This painting is technically in Gallery 109, which doesn’t show on a map, as it is the Leighton Corridor. There are some amazing frescoes in the Leighton galleries, corridor, and staircase, and if you are interested in restoration info, I would recommend reading this post!
The Marchioness of Londonderry
So, you come into the Leighton corridor and are greeted with this painting, the Marchioness of Londonderry. And given that it is a painting celebrating William IV’s coronation, it is suitably magnificent. Frances Anne, the Marchioness, was one of the most lauded society hostesses of the 19th century. When her father died in 1813, she was one of England’s wealthiest heiresses, and essentially embodied Lady Catherine de Bourgh. In any case, she was incredibly well connected. You can see a pink topaz at the bottom of her dress- it happened to be a gift… from Tsar Alexander I. (Yes, the Tsar of Russia…) I would love to see what other peers and peeresses wore to the coronation!
Have you seen the Marchioness of Londonderry at the V&A?
Cheers,
The Historian
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