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.

Visit the Royal Collection

Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

UNKNOWN PERSON

Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906) in 'Medea'

c.1880 copy of an original of 1860

Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913578

Photograph of a full length portrait of the Italian actress Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906) standing, facing towards the camera. She turns her head towards the right and gazes ahead. She raises her left arm and points forward. She wears a flowing, dark coloured dress. She is dressed in costume as her character in the play 'Medea'.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906)

  • annotation: Mme Ristori, in "Medea"/ Reproduced [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.6 x 6.0 cm (mount)

    8.8 x 5.4 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • albums
          • photograph albums
        • photographs
          • cartes-de-visite
PreviousNext
PreviousNext
Policy links
Royal Collection TrustIn Partnership with

Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection and welcoming visitors to the royal palaces. We bring our shared history to life through world-class experiences that involve and inspire people, wherever they are. Income from tickets and retail sales helps us to conserve the Collection so that it can be enjoyed by everyone for generations to come.