Osborne House
Isle of Wight, PO32 6JX
Queen Victoria built her beloved villa on the Isle of Wight as a seaside retreat from the pressures of court duties, and it offers an intimate glimpse into her family life and personal taste.
Thomas Cubitt, who built the façade of Buckingham Palace, was charged with creating the holiday home in 1845. Working closely with Prince Albert, he produced something approximating to an Italian Renaissance palazzo, set in splendid formal gardens overlooking the Solent.
Art we’ve helped buy at Osborne House
Art we’ve helped buy at Osborne House
The Queen placed Winterhalter's La Siesta in her dressing room, so she could see it every day during her visits to the house. An unashamedly sensual work, it shows three young women sheltering from the midday Mediterranean sun.
The Durbar Room contains four dining chairs built to the specification of Bhai Ram Singh, Kipling's assistant. Their free carving reflects the best Indian craft tradition.