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

THOMAS PEARCE (ACTIVE C. 1850S)

John Brown (1827-83) and the pony, Malakoff

Oct 1858

Salted paper print | 10.5 x 12.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2906734

Photograph of a full length portrait of John Brown (1827-83) standing, facing three-quarters to the left. He holds the reins of Malakoff the pony. Brown wears Highland dress, and looks towards the camera. Photograph taken in Balmoral.

  • Creator(s)

    Thomas Pearce (active c. 1850s) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    John Brown (1826-83)

  • 10.5 x 12.8 cm (image)

    28.4 x 23.0 cm (page dimensions)

    29.5 x 24.5 x 6.0 cm (album)

  • John Brown and the Queen's pony, Malakoff, Balmoral, October 1858 [Photographic Portraits Vol.2/60 1852-1859]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Agriculture and related techniques
        • Animal husbandry
          • Horses
            • Malakoff (Queen Victoria's Pony, Balmoral)
            • Ponies
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • Costume-Great Britain
            • Costume-Scotland
              • Scottish Highland Dress
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
        • albums
          • photograph albums
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