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

ROGER FENTON (1819-69)

The Princess Royal and Princess Alice, Balmoral

1856

Wet collodion negative | 45.0 x 37.5 cm (whole object) | RCIN 2079264

Glass plate negative of a full length portrait of Victoria, Princess Royal and Princess Alice. The sisters are seated together on a decorative ironwork garden seat. The Princess Royal holds a walking stick with Princess Alice leaning on her.

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 2941851. 
  • Creator(s)

    Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Empress Friedrich, German Empress and Queen of Prussia (1840-1901)
    Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78)
  • 45.0 x 37.5 cm (whole object)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

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