Pets of the Belle Époque: Taglioni and Hector, 1836

Taglioni and Hector
George Morley, 1836
The Royal Collection

In 1834, while still a Princess, Queen Victoria was given a magnificent horse by King William IV. At the time, Victoria was quite taken with the ballet dancer known as Taglioni, and, so, she named the graceful horse after her favorite performer.


This 1836 painting by George Morley was a gift to Queen Victoria. Taglioni stands, nobly showing his equestrian profile. He is joined by one of Victoria’s beloved dogs, Hector.