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 FRANZ XAVER WINTERHALTER (1805-73)

    Queen Victoria (1819-1901)

    1851-68

    RCIN 2083223

    Glass plate negative of a painting of Queen Victoria by Franz Winterhalter, 1843 (RCIN 406010). Head and shoulders portrait, her head is turned half to the left, shown leaning back against a cushion, her loose hair flows over her shoulder. Oval format.

    The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative exist in the Collection, RCIN 2800631. 

    • Creator(s)

      After Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1805-73) (artist)

      Dr Ernst Becker (1826-88) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1819-1901)
    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

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