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

'Chinese Family who came to Osborne'

1851

Hand-coloured albumen print | 14.1 x 10.1 cm (image) | RCIN 2914256

Hand-coloured photograph of a full length group portrait of four Chinese women and one Chinese man. The front row, consisting of three Chinese women, are seated in a semi-circle formation. The other two people stand behind. The group wear traditional dress. A painting of Chinese building features in the background, on the right.

The caption indicates the group are a family who visited Osborne in 1851.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

  • 14.1 x 10.1 cm (image)

  • Commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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