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

UNKNOWN PERSON

Horace Wigan (c.1851-85) in 'The Porter's Knot'

c.1880 copy of an original of 1860

Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913608

Photograph of a full length portrait of the actor Horace Wigan (c.1851-85) standing, facing three-quarters to the left. He holds his hands out, and holds a hat in his right hand. Wigan is in costume as his character in 'The Porter's Knot'.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Horace Wigan (c.1815-85)
  • annotation: Horace Wigan in "The Porter's Knot"/ Reproduced. [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.6 x 6.3 cm (mount)

    8.8 x 5.2 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

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