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.

Visit the Royal Collection

Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

    THOMAS PEARCE (ACTIVE C. 1850S)

    Gillies, Balmoral

    Oct 1858

    Salted paper print | 10.7 x 16.0 cm (image) | RCIN 2906728

    Photograph of a full length group portrait of of Gillies taken outside at Balmoral with, standing, from left to right, William Kennedy; J. Smith, W. Stewart, John Brown,  Frank Farquarson, John Morgan and C. Coutts. Seated on ground from left to right are P. Robertson and Johnnie Grant. The group all wear kilts.

    • Creator(s)

      Thomas Pearce (active c. 1850s) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      W A Kennedy (Balmoral Gillie)
      J Smith (Balmoral Gillie)
      William Stewart
      John Brown (1826-83)
      Frank Farquarson
      Morgan, T (Balmoral Gillie)
      Charles Coutts
      John Grant (1842-82)
      Robertson, P. (fl.1858)

    • annotation: [Numbering and names of sitters]/ Gillies- Balmoral- Oct: 1858. [beneath photograph]

    • 10.7 x 16.0 cm (image)

      28.4 x 23.0 cm (page dimensions)

      29.5 x 24.5 x 6.0 cm (album)

    • Gillies, Balmoral, October 1858 [Photographic Portraits Vol.2/60 1852-1859]

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Subject(s)
      • Social sciences
        • Ethnology
          • Costume & National dress
            • Costume-Great Britain
              • Costume-Scotland
                • Scottish Highland Dress
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Engineering & Technology
          • Military engineering
            • Arms (weapons)
              • Firearms
                • Guns
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
          • albums
            • photograph albums
    PreviousNext
    PreviousNext