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

UNKNOWN PERSON

Mrs Alfred Wigan, and son

c.1880 copy of an original of 1860

Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913604

Photograph of a full length portrait of Leonora Wigan (1805-84), largely known as Mrs Alfred Wigan, with her son. Mrs Wigan places her left arm around her son and looks down at him. He looks towards the camera and holds his mother's hand. They pose in front of a painted backdrop.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Leonora Wigan (1805-84)
    Master Wigan

  • annotation: Mrs Alfred Wigan & Son./ Reproduced [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.6 x 6.2 cm (mount)

    8.9 x 5.2 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

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