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.

Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

    DR ERNST BECKER (1826-88)

    'The Honourable Lucy Kerr' (1822-74)

    26 - 26 Jul 1854

    Salted paper print | 12.8 x 4.9 cm (image) | RCIN 2906540

    Photograph of a full length portrait of Lucy Kerr (1822-74) seated, facing three-quarters to the right. She is seated beneath a bust. A man, largely obscured, stands on the far right side of the photograph, reading a piece of paper. Photograph taken at Osborne House. 
    • Creator(s)

      Dr Ernst Becker (1826-88) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Lucy Maria Kerr (1822-1874)
    • annotation: The Hon. Lucy Kerr-/ July 26-/ by Do. [Ditto] [beneath work]

    • 12.8 x 4.9 cm (image)

      28.2 x 22.9 cm (page dimensions)

    • The Hon. Lucy Kerr, Osborne, July 16 1854 [Photographic Portraits. Vol 1/59 (1853-1857)]

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Subject(s)
      • Places
        • Europe
          • Great Britain
            • England
              • Isle of Wight [England]
                • Osborne Estate [Isle of Wight]
                  • Osborne House
      • Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
        • Plastic arts
          • Sculpture
            • Busts
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
          • albums
            • photograph albums