This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

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Exhibitions and records of works of art

Prince Albert recognised the importance of photography to record and document notable exhibitions and works of art

    ITALIAN SCHOOL, NORTH ITALIAN, 15TH CENTURY

    Studies of monks

    c. 1857

    Albumen print? | RCIN 2864417

    A photograph of an anonymous pen and ink drawing now in the Royal Library, Windsor (RCIN 912791). This drawing depicts two rows of seated monks. Annotated on the verso.

    Popham and Wilde (see Bibliographic References) rejected the traditional attribution of this drawing to Pesellino and proposed a Venetian artist, possibly in the circle of Carpaccio, as the draughtsman.

    A copy of this photograph (RCIN 854393) can be found in the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection, portfolio 48 (970608)

    • Creator(s)

      Italian School, North Italian, 15th century (artist)

      Previously attributed to Francesco Pesellino (Florence c.1422-Florence 1457) (artist)

      Attributed to Charles Thurston Thompson (1816-68) (photographer)

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Subject(s)
      • Religion & Theology
        • Religions and faiths
          • Religious orders
            • Monks
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Home economics
          • Furniture & accessories
            • Desks
            • Cupboards
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
    • Bibliographic reference(s)

      P&W : Popham, A.E. & Wilde, J., 1949. The Italian Drawings of the XV and XVI Centuries in the Collection of His Majesty The King at Windsor Castle, London p. 179, no. 35

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