Portrait of Queen Victoria

Hart's 'Portrait of Queen Victoria', wearing the badge of her office (the Order of the Garter), emphasises both her youth and her imperial authority. It is highly unlikely to have been a commission, as a little stiffness to the figure indicates. Painted five years into Victoria’s reign and two years into Hart’s Academicianship, it conveys his social and artistic integration with Britain, and as the first Jewish Royal Academicia, identifyies him with the ultimate symbol of the establishment. It can also be seen as a self-portrait – the outsider as insider – signifying Hart’s achievements as a painter and perhaps satisfying his aspirations of belonging to the British establishment and the artistic elite.