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.

Visit the Royal Collection

Glass plate negatives

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

ROGER FENTON (1819-69)

Princess Helena and Princess Louise as Clermont and Louison in 'Les deux petits Savoyards'

1 - 1 Feb 1854

Wet collodion negative | RCIN 2083150

Glass plate negative of a full length portrait of Princess Helena (1846-1923) and Princess Louise, later Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939) standing, facing towards the camera. They are dressed in costume as Clermont and Louison for a performance of 'Les deux petits Savoyards'.

The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print of the negative exists in the Collection, RCIN 2900012.

  • Creator(s)

    Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Princess Helena (1846-1923)
    Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)
  • From the collection of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Language, Linguistics and Literature
      • Literature
        • Drama
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • negatives
            • glass plate negatives
PreviousNext
PreviousNext