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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Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

    UNKNOWN PERSON

    Lydia Thompson (1836-1908)

    c.1880 copy of an original of c.1860

    Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913629

    Photograph of a full length portrait of the British actress Lydia Thompson (1836-1908) standing, facing three-quarters to the left. She turns her head towards the camera and looks to the right. She wears a costume that includes a feathered hairpiece. She poses in front of a painted backdrop depicting a stage.

    • Creator(s)

      Unknown Person (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Lydia Thompson (1836-1908)

    • annotation: Miss Lydia Thompson./ Reproduced [beneath work]

    • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

      9.6 x 6.2 cm (mount)

      8.9 x 5.2 cm (image)

    • Acquired by Prince Albert

    • Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • albums
            • photograph albums
          • photographs
            • cartes-de-visite
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