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

Eugénie, Empress of France (1826-1920)

1859

Albumen print | 8.7 x 5.4 cm (image) | RCIN 2907673

Photograph of a full length portrait of Empress Eugénie (1826-1920) standing, facing towards the camera. She places her hands on a carved wooden box, placed on top of a small table. She gazes down at the box. She wears a dress and matching bonnet.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Eugénie, Empress of the French (1826-1920)

  • annotation: The Empress Eugenie. / 1859. [beneath work]

  • 8.7 x 5.4 cm (image)

    9.7 x 6.0 cm (mount)

    23.1 x 18.2 cm (page dimensions)

    24.3 x 19.8 x 5.5 cm (album)

  • The Empress Eugénie, 1859. [Album: Photographs. Royal Portraits, vol.47]

  • Acquired by Prince Albert, the Prince Consort

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Industries, Crafts and Trades
        • Woodwork
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • cartes-de-visite
        • albums
          • photograph albums
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.