This Life-Size Sculpture of Prince Albert’s Right Hand Was Made in December 1861, Just After the Prince’s Death

This life-size sculpture of Prince Albert’s right hand was made from a cast taken on the December 14, 1861 just after the Prince’s death.

After Prince Albert’s sudden death in 1861, Queen Victoria was plunged into lifelong mourning—but few know just how deeply her grief ran. High on the list of her secret burial instructions was one unusual request: to be buried with a plaster cast of Albert’s hand.

Made shortly after his death, the cast became her most treasured possession. She slept with it beside her every night for 40 years. But that wasn’t all. In the years following Albert’s death, Victoria kept his rooms in full use—his clothes laid out daily, his shaving water prepared each morning, as if he were still alive. Her devotion was so profound that it reshaped mourning customs across the Western world. Even in death, Victoria wanted to keep Albert’s presence near her, forever.

Portrait of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, 1854.

The specific life-size sculpted right hand in white marble, belonging to Prince Albert, with his wedding ring on the small finger was sculpted by William Theed in 1861.

William Theed had been previously commissioned by the Royal couple to sculpt not only realistic busts of Victoria, Albert and the Royal court but he was also commissioned to sculpt a cast of Princess Alice’s hand in 1857. Alongside Theed, both Abraham Kent and Mary Thornycroft also produced sculptures of the Royal Children's limbs, perhaps in a bid to capture their infancy permanently.

Ivan Aivazovsky: The Master of the Seas

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky (1817–1900) was a renowned Russian Romantic painter, almost exclusively known for his breathtaking seascapes. Born in Feodosia, Crimea, to an Armenian family, Aivazovsky showed an early artistic talent that led him to study at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.

His career was prolific, spanning over 60 years, during which he produced an astonishing estimated 6,000 paintings. Aivazovsky’s work is celebrated for its incredible realism, dramatic lighting, and an unparalleled ability to capture the ever-changing moods of the ocean. From serene sunsets over calm waters to terrifying storms with crashing waves, his canvases vividly transport viewers to the high seas.

Some of his most famous works include The Ninth Wave (1850), a monumental depiction of a ship battling a colossal wave after a storm, and Rainbow (1873), known for its masterful play of light and color. He was also a keen traveler, finding inspiration for his marine paintings in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and various European coastal regions.

Aivazovsky’s unique talent earned him widespread recognition during his lifetime, both in Russia and internationally. He was appointed the main painter of the Russian Navy and his works were acquired by emperors, kings, and private collectors. Today, his paintings are highly sought after and continue to mesmerize art enthusiasts worldwide, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest marine painters in history.

Sea Coast at Night. Near the Beacon, 1837

The Kronstadt Roadstead, 1840

Peter I at Krasnaya Gorka Lighting a Fire on the Shore to Signal to His Sinking Ships, 1846

The Battle of Revel, 1846

The Battle of Vyborg Bay in 1790, 1846

See more»

44 Glamorous Studio Portraits of Cheryl Ladd Taken by Harry Langdon in the 1970s and 1980s

Harry Langdon was a prominent Hollywood photographer known for his classic portraiture, and he frequently photographed celebrities during the 1970s and 1980s. Cheryl Ladd, particularly during her time on Charlie’s Angels and in the years following, was a frequent subject of studio portraits.

Often featuring soft lighting, artful posing, and a focus on her natural beauty and effervescent personality. While some portraits were more formal and glamorous, others captured her in more casual or playful settings, reflecting the evolving fashion and mood of the decades.

Given Ladd’s popularity, many of these portraits became widely recognizable and were used for publicity, magazine features, and promotional materials.

See more»

30 Photos of a Young Christine McVie in the Late 1960s

Christine McVie (born Christine Anne Perfect, July 12, 1943 – November 30, 2022) was an English singer, songwriter, and keyboardist best known as a member of Fleetwood Mac. Renowned for her warm, bluesy voice and soulful songwriting, she was one of the most influential women in rock music.

In the late 1960s, McVie was a prominent figure in the British blues scene. She joined the blues band Chicken Shack in 1967 as their keyboardist and backing vocalist. She also wrote their first single, “It’s Okay with Me Baby.”

With Chicken Shack, she gained recognition for her blues piano playing and authentic “bluesy” voice, even singing lead on their hit cover of “I’d Rather Go Blind” in 1969. Her talent was recognized with Melody Maker awards for UK’s best female vocalist in both 1969 and 1970.

During this period, Chicken Shack and Fleetwood Mac, both signed to the Blue Horizon label, often met while touring. McVie also began doing session work for Fleetwood Mac, contributing piano to their second album, Mr. Wonderful (1968), and their next album, Then Play On (1969).

She married Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie in 1968 and left Chicken Shack in 1969, initially intending to retire from music. However, she was encouraged to continue her career and released a solo album, Christine Perfect, in 1970. She then officially joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970.

See more»

Candid Polaroids of Jessica Lange Taken by Antonio Lopez in 1975

In 1975, legendary fashion illustrator and photographer Antonio Lopez captured a series of intimate Polaroid portraits of a young Jessica Lange, just on the cusp of her Hollywood breakthrough. These rare images offer a glimpse into a quieter, more candid side of Lange — far from red carpets and film sets.

Shot in Lopez’s signature style, the photos blend fashion, spontaneity, and natural beauty. They reflect both the creative energy of 1970s New York and the effortless charisma of Lange, who would soon become one of the defining actresses of her generation.

Take a look at these Polaroids and step into a moment where art, youth, and future stardom quietly intersected.

See more»

Robert De Niro and Michael Jackson on the Set of “Smooth Criminal”

In 1987, while Michael Jackson was filming the Smooth Criminal short film, his friend Robert De Niro arrived on set, driven simply by admiration and curiosity.

Between takes, De Niro watched Michael rehearse his steps, perfecting every detail with almost maniacal precision. He wasn’t there to shoot, nor for the spotlight. Just to witness with his own eyes a genius in action.

This behind the scenes encounter is a little-known moment that brought together two of the most influential figures in music and cinema at the peak of their careers.

Romantic Photos of Clint Walker and Virginia Mayo From “Fort Dobbs” (1958)

Fort Dobbs is a 1958 American Western film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Clint Walker and Virginia Mayo. Set during the French and Indian War, the film follows Sergeant Clint Keyes (played by Walker), a tough and resourceful soldier tasked with protecting settlers on the frontier from hostile Native American tribes allied with the French.

The story centers on Keyes escorting a group of settlers, including a strong-willed woman named Cynthia Dobbs (Virginia Mayo), to safety as they seek refuge at Fort Dobbs. The film combines action, suspense, and drama as they face ambushes, wilderness dangers, and conflicts along the way.

Known for its rugged outdoor cinematography and classic Western themes, Fort Dobbs reflects the genre’s 1950s popularity while highlighting frontier survival and courage. Take a look at these romantic photos capturing Clint Walker and Virginia Mayo together during the filming of Fort Dobbs in 1958.

See more»