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

    AFTER LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

    Princess Beatrice (1857-1944)

    c. 1857

    RCIN 2083566

    Glass plate negative showing a photograph placed on a flat surface.Taken by Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) in 1857, the photograph depicts Princess Beatrice (1857-1944) as an infant, a cropped version of RCIN 2900104. 

    The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed.

    • Creator(s)

      After Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

      Unknown Person (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg (1857-1944)
    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 

    • Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
            • negatives
              • glass plate negatives