Nature Studies

In 1853, Prince Albert and Queen Victoria became patrons of the Photographic Society, and it was through this network of photographers that they made many important purchases in the early 1850s. This included a set of 43 photographs of animals at London Zoo by photographer Don Juan, Comte de Montizón. This set included photographs of Obaysch (c. 1848-78), London Zoo’s first hippopotamus, which arrived on 25 May 1850. Prince Albert compiled two volumes of nature studies titled ‘Stags’, which contained photographs and drawings relating to deer stalking, a pastime of his while staying at Balmoral.