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)

    Study of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in costumes of the time of Charles II

    1850-60

    RCIN 2083152

    Glass plate negative of a sketch of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (RCIN 400822) created by Franz Xaver Winterhalter in 1851. The Queen and Prince are dressed in the costumes they wore to the Bal Costumé on 13 June 1851.

    Queen Victoria and Prince Albert appear full-length, standing, facing half to the left and holding hands. The prince looks to the Queen and rests one hand on a long cane. The queen is holding a closed fan one hand.

    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 2800663).

    • Creator(s)

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

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Victoria

    • Subject(s)
      • Social sciences
        • Ethnology
          • Costume & National dress
            • History of costume
              • Costume-17C
                • Costume-Carolinian
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Industries, Crafts and Trades
          • Toys and Decorations
            • Theatrical costumes
              • Costume-Fancy Dress