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

LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

Group portrait

Apr 1859

Albumen print | 13.3 x 16.5 cm (image) | RCIN 2906761

Photograph of a group portrait that includes, from left to right, Princess Helena, Princess Clotilde of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Princess Amélie of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Princess Louise. The group are posed in front of a backing sheet and are flanked by foliage covered columns.

  • Creator(s)

    Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Princess Amalie of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1848-94)
    Princess Clotilde, Archduchess of Austria (1846-1927)
    Princess Helena (1846-1923)
    Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)

  • annotation: Pcfs Jelena, Pcfs Clotilde, Prcfs Louise/ of Saxe-Coburg. & Pcfs Amelie of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha/ April- 1859./ (Caldesi) [beneath work]

  • 13.3 x 16.5 cm (image)

    28.4 x 23.0 cm (page dimensions)

    29.5 x 24.5 x 6.0 cm (album)

  • Group, April 1859 [Photographic Portraits Vol.2/60 1852-1859]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
        • albums
          • photograph albums
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