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.

Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

DISDÉRI ET CIE. : 8 BOULEVART DES ITALIENS, PARIS

Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906) and two children in 'Medea'

c. 1860

Albumen print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913580

Photograph of the Italian actress Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906) posed with two children, re-enacting a scene from the play 'Medea'. The two children lean against Ristori, who places her right arm around them. She holds up her left arm, holding a shawl in her left hand, and gazes to the right. The group are dressed in Classical-inspired garbs.

  • Creator(s)

    Disdéri et Cie. : 8 Boulevart des Italiens, Paris (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906)
  • annotation: Mme Ristori, in "Medea" [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.6 x 5.9 cm (mount)

    8.7 x 5.3 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • albums
          • photograph albums
        • photographs
          • cartes-de-visite