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.

Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

    LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

    Henry Pelham, 5th Duke of Newcastle (1811-64)

    1857

    Salted paper print | 46.0 x 38.4 cm (image) | RCIN 2942108

    Photograph of a full length portrait of the Henry Pelham, 5th Duke of Newcastle (1811-64), standing, facing towards the camera. He turns his head and looks towards the right. He places his right hand on a pile of books on a table beside him.

    The photograph is signed by the creator in pencil, in the lower right corner.
    • Creator(s)

      Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Henry Pelham, 5th Duke of Newcastle (1811-64)
    • annotation: 1857/1857/ Duke of Newcastle, born 1811 [beneath work]

    • 46.0 x 38.4 cm (image)

      72.5 x 53.5 cm (mount)

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs