The Funeral Procession of Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901 aged 81, having reigned for over sixty-three years. Her death had a major impact upon both the nation and Empire and a funeral procession, destined for Windsor, took place in London on 2 February 1901.

This painting depicts the procession passing through Hyde Park from the roof of a house in Park Lane. Despite the cold, large crowds have gathered to watch the gun carriage carry the Queen's body, seen in the middle distance. The coffin was covered by a pall of white satin, upon which rested the Crown, the Regalia and the Insignia of the Order of the Garter. The red and gold colours of the procession are in marked contrast to the sombre greys and blacks which depict the crowd of onlookers, some of which have climbed up trees to secure a better view.

London-born Mary Durham (1863-1944) trained at the Royal Academy Schools, becoming a painter and book illustrator. A few years earlier she had painted a view of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee procession, also in the Museum of London's collection. She travelled widely and published several books about the Balkans.