After attending the first annual Royal Foundation Forum, the Duchess of Cambridge visited the National Portrait Gallery to see the ‘Victorian Giants: The Birth of Art Photography’ Exhibition.
An avid Art fan and a History of Arts Graduate, the patron of the National Portrait Gallery, The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the Gallery on a snowy night.
This major exhibition is the first to examine the relationship between four ground-breaking Victorian artists: Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–79), Lewis Carroll (1832–98), Lady Clementina Hawarden (1822–65), and Oscar Rejlander (1813–75).
Drawn from public and private collections internationally, the exhibition features some of the most breath-taking images in photographic history. Influenced by historical painting and frequently associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, the four artists formed a bridge between the art of the past and the art of the future, standing as true giants in Victorian photography.
The Duchess of Cambridge visits @NPGLondon to see the Victorian Giants photography exhibition. An art history graduate, she has curated a special "Patron's Trail" and written labels for her favourite images pic.twitter.com/DGUAbmM3qo
— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) February 28, 2018
The exhibition explores the birth of art photography in England and provides a fresh perspective on one of photography’s formative periods.
Before the engagement, Duchess Catherine wrote a foreword to the exhibition catalog in which she discussed her interest in 19th-century photography that was also the subject of her undergraduate thesis while an art history student at the University of St Andrews.
“This period of history has long interested me. Photographs of children in particular, which feature predominately within the exhibition, are of real interest to me. The photographs allow us to reflect on the importance of preserving and appreciating childhood while it lasts. Children held a special place in the Victorian imagination and were celebrated for their seemingly boundless potential. The notion still rings true for us today and it underpins much of my official work and the charities I have chosen to support, and, indeed, my role as a mother of a young family.”
For this visit, putting her academic background to the use, The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, helped to curate the exhibition at the gallery.
Catherine selected several Victorian photographs and wrote captions that are displayed with the images for a special ‘Patron’s Trail’.
Upon arrival, Catherine enjoyed the tour of the exhibition. The exhibition will run until May 20th.
She also met lenders and supporters in the Gallery’s Ondaatje Wing Main Hall.
For the artistic visit, The Duchess of Cambridge chose a beautiful floral look. She wore Orla Kiely Margaret Viscose Print Smock Bib Dress in Black.
Cut to a flattering figure-skimming fit, the eye-catching floral dress features a High neckline with a soft velvet band to the trim, smock front panel with ruched detailing and soft velvet trim, velvet ribbon collar and invisible zip back opening.
The dress was available at Very Exclusive for £490.00 before selling out.
The Duchess of Cambridge paired her look with her trusty Gianvito Rossi praline pumps and carried Jimmy Choo Celeste clutch.
The Duchess of Cambridge gave her outfit a dazzling look by wearing Kiki McDonough Candy Pink Tourmaline & Green Amethyst Drop Earrings that she last wore during the visit to Portrait Gala last March.
