Technological improvements enabled Prince Albert to collect photographs of places that were significant to him

GUSTAVE LE GRAY (1820-84)

The English Fleet at Cherbourg

5 - 5 Aug 1858

Albumen print laid down on card | 30.4 x 38.4 cm (image) | RCIN 2934238

Photograph of a seascape at Cherbourg with six English Fleet ships accompanied by smaller vessels.

On 4 August 1858 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert sailed on the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert to Cherbourg in order to meet Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. The royal yacht received gun salutes from the English fleet who were awaiting her arrival in the harbour at Cherbourg.

Photographer’s credit on the print in red, in the lower right corner, reading Gustave Le Gray.

Text adapted from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010.

Creator(s)

Gustave Le Gray (1820-84) (photographer)

Subject(s)

HMY Victoria and Albert II (royal yacht, launched 1855; scrapped c. 1904)

HMS Euryalus

Curacoa (French ship ?)

Racoon (HMS)

Royal Albert (HMS)

HMS Renown (I or II)

Diadema (HMS)

Fire Queen (HMS)
annotation: [pencil] English fleet Cherbourg. August 5. 1858/
[ink] English Fleet, Cherbourg, August 5, 1858. [beneath print, on mount]
30.4 x 38.4 cm (image)
Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1858
Subject(s)
- Places
  Europe
  France
  Normandy [France]
  Cherbourg [Manche]
- Social sciences
  Military affairs
  Naval formations & units
  Squadron sections. Individual fleets (Navy)
- Science, Medicine and Technology
  Engineering & Technology
  Vessels (marine)
  Ships
Object type(s)

Landscape, Nature and Architecture

The English Fleet at Cherbourg

Creator(s)

Subject(s)

Subject(s)

Object type(s)

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