The Opening of the Great Exhibition by Queen Victoria by Henry Courtney Selous

The Opening of the Great Exhibition by Queen Victoria Henry Courtney Selous, 1851

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⚔️ History & Battles

The Opening of the Great Exhibition by Queen Victoria

Why it's great

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert open the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace in 1851, with thousands of guests looking on. Henry Courtney Selous painted this scene of a world fair celebrating industry.

🏛️ Part of history

The Industrial Revolution (1760–1900) — Queen Victoria and Prince Albert open the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace in 1851, with thousands of guests looking on.

Where to see it

📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.

Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 1,200 × 839 px · 1.0 megapixels This is the largest scan on Wikimedia Commons, which is fairly small for a big print. The museum that owns it may offer a larger one. File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

Henry Courtney Selous

1803–1890 · born in Deptford · died in Devon

Henry Courtney Selous was an English painter and illustrator born in Deptford in 1803. He painted big historical pictures and illustrated books, including a famous painting of the opening of the Great Exhibition in 1851. He died in Devon in 1890.