Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2012 | Page 66

FEATURE
and cornices. It is also a time for close examination
to ensure items in the collection have suffered no
damage.
Catherine, who has worked at Osborne since 2003,
said: “I began work on the deep clean, ready to put
the House to bed, back in early November. Just
working my way through the top floor and first floor
took more than two months, working 15 hours a
week.
“All the pelmets, picture rails and curtains have to
be cleaned with a special vacuum cleaner, and all
the windows are cleaned. I think perhaps the most
difficult room in the whole house to clean is Queen
Victoria’s sitting room, because there are a lot of
objects scattered around that need to be cleaned.
“I use a special lint-free cleaning cloth that picks up
the dust and doesn’t leave any residue. It is not a case
of going round with a duster and a can of polish!”
All the cleaning was completed by the end of
January, and shortly the dust covers will be removed,
carefully catalogued and stored away until next
winter.
Catherine added: “This was the first time I had
done this work, so it was a new but very interesting
and enjoyable experience. Of course there is
something of a ‘fear factor’ that everything has to be
cleaned without causing any accidental damage. You
tend to walk around and do cleaning and dusting
very carefully. Thankfully, no major problems have
been encountered this year, but we are always on the
look-out for unwanted pests that could cause damage.
“I really love working in Osborne House, and I
think my favourite areas are the marble corridors
with their imposing statues, but there are areas in all
the rooms that I particularly like. It really is such a
pleasure to work here, and be able to get so close to
all the wonderful objects that are on show.”

Osborne acquires rare painting
of Queen Victoria lying in state
shortly after her death in 1901
A rare watercolour painting, depicting the lying in state of
Queen Victoria shortly after her death in January 1901, will
soon be on show for the first time at Osborne House.
The painting is by historical artist Amedee Forestier, who
was invited to Osborne House by King Edward VII to record
the event. The dining room at Osborne was transformed
into a ‘chapelle ardente’ and the Queen’s coffin remained
there before it was taken to the Mausoleum at Frogmore.
Osborne House curator Michael Hunter explained: “The
painting was bought at auction in Edinburgh by English
Heritage, with the generous support of the Island Friends of
Royal Osbor ne House.
“It was part of the Forbes collection, and we were tipped
off that it was coming up for sale, so we managed to get
the funds together to buy it. We are very pleased to have
acquired it, and is the first painting we have managed to buy
to add to the collection in about three years.”
A copy of the painting appeared in the London illustrated
News in January 1901. It was a faithful copy, apart from the
omission of the Indian attendant who appears third from the
left in the watercolour.
As the reproduction was approved by Edward VI, it was
assumed that the alteration was directed by the King.

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