'Coburger Bauern'; Coburg Peasants at Rosenau

Photograph showing a group of four Coburg peasants at Rosenau arranged in front of a wicker screen. The group, consisting of two men and two women, are depicted full length. The men are positioned either side of the women.

This is one of a series of photographs that were commissioned by Queen Victoria to be presented to her husband Prince Albert on his birthday in August 1857. Bedford, accompanied by his wife, travelled to Coburg in June and early July to photograph the places associated with the Prince's childhood. The court gardener arranged for several Coburg peasants to pose for Bedford at Prince Albert's father's country residence at Rosenau. The sitters wanted a memento, rather than payment, so the women received silk kerchiefs and the men received waistcoats.