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

THOMAS PEARCE (ACTIVE C. 1850S)

John Grant (1842-82) with two dogs

Oct 1858

Salted paper print | 9.6 x 7.0 cm (image) | RCIN 2906729

Photograph of a full length portrait of John Grant (1842-82), a young ghillie, standing, facing towards the camera. He looks down. He wears Highland dress, including a cap. At his feet, on the left, the dog Soloman is seated. Beside Soloman, the dog Waldmann lies down. Photograph taken at Balmoral.
  • Creator(s)

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

    Subject(s)

    John Grant (1842-82)
  • 9.6 x 7.0 cm (image)

    28.4 x 23.0 cm (page dimensions)

    29.5 x 24.5 x 6.0 cm (album)

  • Johnnie Grant with Soloman, Balmoral, 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
          • Dogs
            • Solomon (Prince Albert's dog)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • Scotland
            • Aberdeenshire [Scotland]
              • Balmoral Estate [Aberdeenshire]
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • Costume-Great Britain
            • Costume-Scotland
              • Scottish Highland Dress
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
        • albums
          • photograph albums