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Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

CAMILLE SILVY (1834-1910)

Carlotta Leclercq (1838-93) as Ariel

c. 1856

Albumen print | 8.8 x 5.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2913567

Photograph of a full length portrait of the actress Carlotta Leclercq (1838-93) standing, facing a quarter to the left. She turns her head and looks towards the camera. She holds a large staff in her right hand. She is dressed as Ariel from 'The Tempest' and wears a floral crown, white tutu and floral decoration, fairy wings and ballet shoes. She poses in front of a painted backdrop.

Leclercq performed as Ariel for Queen Victoria in 1854 during a private performance of The Tempest at Windsor Castle in 1854. Queen Victoria presented this photograph to Prince Albert as a Christmas present in 1856.   

  • Creator(s)

    Camille Silvy (1834-1910) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Carlotta Leclercq (1838-93)

  • annotation: Mifs C. Leclerq as Ariel. [beneath work]

  • 8.8 x 5.8 cm (image)

    9.4 x 6.2 cm (mount)

    23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

  • Given to Prince Albert by Queen Victoria, 24th December 1856 [Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010, pg 460]

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