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.

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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 2913579

Photograph of a full length portrait of the Italian actress Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906) standing, facing towards the camera. She turns her head slightly and looks to the left. She holds her hands together in front of her chest. Ristori is in costume as her character in the play 'Medea'. She wears a flowing, dark coloured dress and a light coloured shawl over her left shoulder.

  • 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
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