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

    Sir Michael Costa (1808-84)

    c.1880 copy of an original of c.1860

    Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913547

    Photograph of a full length portrait of the conductor Sir Michael Costa (1808-84) standing, facing three-quarters to the right. He turns his head and looks towards the camera. He rests his left arm on the back of a chair and holds a top hat in his right hand.

    • Creator(s)

      Unknown Person (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Sir Michael Costa (1808-84)

    • annotation: M. Costa./ Reprodu [ced; outside of shot] [beneath work]

    • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

      10.2 x 6.1 cm (mount)

      9.3 x 5.4 cm (image)

    • Acquired by Prince Albert

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