Queen Victoria & The Victorian Era
Queen Victoria reigned for sixty four years, from 1837 until 1901 and this gives Victoriana a certain period of leeway unmatched by other historical eras. During this time popular taste altered frequently and broadly and evolved even after her reign. New concepts embraced traditional design and morphed into classic forms which we now think of as Victorian.
The nineteenth century saw an enormous degree of social and economic change. Britain was a powerful country in charge of a global empire. Consequently the middle class expanded hugely and quickly. Victorian people began to cease home working and instead go to work in the cities and towns in purpose built offices, shops, factories and other commercial premises. This increased their efficiency, which in turn increased production. Increased earning power enabled the average man on the street to live more comfortably in his own home, accumulating possessions and treasures around them.
Wives and daughters of the wealthy gentlemen maintained this show of status by being seen not to engage in anything that resembled work. As it was also unseemly for them to appear to be idle, good causes and needlework were respectable alternatives.
Mass production made this accumulation possible. Britain led the way with a series of revivalist styles. In the United States, whilst it was perfectly possible for the individual to improve his status in life, they were relatively inexperienced in home improvements. Between 1830 and 1900, however, confidence grew and the west coast saw a number of styles developing.
Victoria’s reign can be subdivided many times as whim replaced fashion and time moved on. It is possible to find fine examples of the following:-
- Empire
- Gothic
- Elizabethan
- Rococco
- Renaissance
- Grecian
- Egyptian
Art was copied from the Orient and included Japanese and China, Persia, Turkey and Greece. Towards the end of the century new ways of thinking from designers including Charles L. Eastlake and William Morris led to simple and natural interiors and eventually to the Arts & Crafts movement.
The Great Exhibition was held in 1851 in Hyde Park, London. Supported by Queen Victoria and more enthusiastically by Albert, the Great Exhibition encouraged and celebrated man’s development and advancement in all things artistic and technical. This again led to a new age of design, often known as High Victorian, lasting around twenty five years. The emphasis was on possessions and home comforts. Every available surface was covered with pictures, fabrics, objects and ornaments. It gives rise to the quintessential idea that we typically hold of Victoriana today.
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