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.

Glass plate negatives

Albert and Victoria’s collection of glass plate negatives show photographers’ working methods

      HILLS & SAUNDERS (1852-2019)

      Bow Room, Buckingham Palace

      1873

      RCIN 2084119

      Glass plate negative of a view of the Bow Room, previously known as the Bow Library or 1853 Room, facing the Household Dining Room at Buckingham Palace. There are paintings on the walls, some in circular frames within ornate plasterwork, and a glazed curved display case in the corner. The full length portrait is of Marie Henriette, later Queen of the Belgians by de Keyser (RCIN 405103); the circular ones are (top right, clockwise) Ernest, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (RCIN 405107), Prince Leopold as a baby by Winterhalter (RCIN 405106), Augusta, Empress of Germany (RCIN 405104) by Winterhalter, and Ferdinand of Savoy, Duke of Genoa by Sale (RCIN 405105).

      The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative exists in the Collection, RCIN 2101709.
      • Creator(s)

        Hills & Saunders (1852-2019) (photographer)

      • Acquired by Queen Victoria

      • Subject(s)
        • Places
          • Europe
            • Great Britain
              • England
                • Greater London [England]
                  • London [Greater London]
                    • City of Westminster [London]
                      • Buckingham Palace
                        • Bow Room [Buckingham Palace]
        Object type(s)
          • visual works
            • photographs
              • negatives
                • glass plate negatives