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

CAMILLE SILVY (1834-1910)

Italo Gardoni (1821-1882)

c.1860

Albumen print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913552

Photograph of a full length portrait of the opera singer Italo Gardoni (1821-82) standing, facing three-quarters to the left. He looks ahead, away from the camera. He rests his right hand on a plinth and holds a top hat in his left hand, which he places on his hip. He poses in front of a painted backdrop depicting a tree lined avenue, with an equestrian sculpture in the upper right area.

  • Creator(s)

    Camille Silvy (1834-1910) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Italo Gardoni (1821-1882)
  • annotation: Sigr Gardoni [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.2 x 5.9 cm (mount)

    8.5 x 5.6 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria

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