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)

      Swiss Cottage, Osborne

      c. 1855

      RCIN 2083969

      Glass plate negative of the Swiss cottage at Osborne with a small garden in the foreground.

      The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. Prints from this negative do not seem to exist in the Collection.
      • Creator(s)

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

      • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

      • Subject(s)
        • Places
          • Europe
            • Great Britain
              • England
                • Isle of Wight [England]
                  • Osborne Estate [Isle of Wight]
                    • Swiss Cottage
                    • Osborne House
        • Science, Medicine and Technology
          • Agriculture and related techniques
            • Gardening
              • Gardens
        • Natural Sciences & Mathematics
          • Botany
            • Systematic botany
              • Trees
              • Plants & Flowers
        Object type(s)
          • visual works
            • photographs
              • negatives
                • glass plate negatives