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

FRATELLI D'ALESSANDRI (ACTIVE 1850-1930)

Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)

1862

Albumen print, carte-de-visite | 8.4 x 5.6 cm (image) | RCIN 2907979

Photograph of Pope Pius IX (1792-1878) seated on the Papal Throne and facing the viewer. On a table on his right is a crucifix and a statue of the Virgin.

Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, Pope Pius IX, was elected Pope in 1846 and ruled until his death in 1878.

  • Creator(s)

    Fratelli d'Alessandri (active 1850-1930) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)

  • 8.4 x 5.6 cm (image)

    9.6 x 6.4 cm (mount)

    22.7 x 18.0 cm (page dimensions)

    23.9 x 19.4 cm (album)

  • Pope Pius IX, 1862

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Home economics
        • Furniture & accessories
          • Seating. Chairs
            • Chairs
              • Thrones
    • Religion & Theology
      • Religions and faiths
        • Christianity
          • Crucifixes
          • Devotional images of the Virgin Mary(Christ absent)
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • cartes-de-visite
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