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Glass plate negatives

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

JOHN JABEZ EDWIN MAYALL (1813-1901)

Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine (1843-78), when Princess Alice

c.1860

RCIN 2082616

Glass plate negative of a full length portrait of Princess Alice, seated and facing three-quarters to the rleft. She holds an open book on her lap and rests her right arm on a balustrade behind her.

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 2907754.

  • Creator(s)

    John Jabez Edwin Mayall (1813-1901) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78)
    Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78)
  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Organisation
      • Documentation
        • Books
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • negatives
            • glass plate negatives