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

CALDESI, BLANFORD & CO

Giovanni Matteo Mario (1810-83)

c.1880 copy of an original of c.1860

Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913618

Photograph of a full length portrait of the Italian opera singer Giovanni Matteo Mario (1810-83) standing, facing slightly towards the right. He turns his head and looks towards the right, his face captured in profile. He places his right hand on top of a pule of book positioned on top of a table.

  • Creator(s)

    Caldesi, Blanford & Co (photographer)

    Previously attributed to Unknown Person (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Giovanni Matteo Mario (1810-83)

  • annotation: Signor Mario./ Reproduced. [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.6 x 6.3 cm (mount)

    8.8 x 5.3 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

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