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

    ATTRIBUTED TO DR ERNST BECKER (1826-88)

    'Stag'

    c. 1855

    RCIN 2083080

    Glass plate negative of a daguerreotype nailed down on a wooden board. The image depicts a stag shot by Prince Albert lying on a grassy area.

    The negative has been masked out, indicating the photographer's intention to crop the work to the smaller frame.

    The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. Although the original daguerreotype does not seem to exist in the Collection, a print from this negative survives, RCIN 2117015.

    • Creator(s)

      Attributed to Dr Ernst Becker (1826-88) (photographer)

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Subject(s)
      • Natural Sciences & Mathematics
        • Biological sciences
          • Zoology
            • Animals
              • Mammals
                • Deer
                  • Red deer
                    • Stags (male deer)
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Agriculture and related techniques
          • Animal husbandry
            • Field sports (hunting, shooting, stalking)
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
            • negatives
              • glass plate negatives