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)

Portrait of keepers, Balmoral

Oct 1858

Salted paper print | 11.0 x 13.5 cm (image) | RCIN 2906733

Photograph of a full length group portrait featuring, from left to right, keeper Donald Stewart, Charles Duncan, head keeper John Grant and keeper Peter Farquarson. A dog is seated on the ground, to the left. There are trees in the background. Photograph taken in Balmoral.

  • Creator(s)

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

    Subject(s)

    John Grant (1810-79)
    Peter Farquarson (d. 1874)
    Charles Duncan (1826-1904)
    Donald Stewart (1827-1909)

  • annotation: D. Howard, C. Duncan, J. Grant, & P. Farquarhson/ 1 Keeper, [break] Head Keeper, Keeper/ Balmoral. Oct: 1858.- [beneath work]

  • 11.0 x 13.5 cm (image)

    28.4 x 23.0 cm (page dimensions)

    29.5 x 24.5 x 6.0 cm (album)

  • Keepers, 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
          • Dogs
            • Working dogs
          • Field sports (hunting, shooting, stalking)
      • Engineering & Technology
        • Military engineering
          • Arms (weapons)
            • Firearms
              • Guns
    • 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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