2-889-556 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Inauguration of the Statue of Queen Isabella II, at Madrid, 1850. 'The 10th October, the twentieth birthday of Queen Isabella II., was celebrated...by the inauguration of a bronze statue of her Majesty, which has just been set up in the Plaza del Oriente...the general kissing hands took place-the authorities, ministers, old functionaries, grandees of Spain, general officers, chiefs of the garrison of Madrid, and other no abilities, as usual, participating in this ceremony...The statue is the work of Señor Piquer [and] is from seven to eight feet high...We congratulate Señor Piquer on this fine specimen of his noble art. We could wish, nevertheless, that some other costume had been chosen for her Majesty, in which she would not have to support part of the vestment with her left arm. This is an office which, on all occasions, is performed by her attendants'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.