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

Italo Gardoni (1821-82)

c.1880 copy of an original of 1860

Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913551

Photograph of a full length portrait of the opera singer Italo Gardoni (1821-82) seated on a chair, facing three-quarters to the left. He gazes down at a sheet of music that he holds with both hands in front of his body.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Italo Gardoni (1821-1882)
  • annotation: Sigr Gardoni./ Reprodu[ced] [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.5 x 5.9 cm (mount)

    8.9 x 5.4 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

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