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

ROGER FENTON (1819-69)

'Prince Alfred as Autumn'; Prince Alfred, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844-1900) dressed as Autumn

10 - 10 Feb 1854

Albumen print coloured with watercolour | 20.6 x 17 cm (image) | RCIN 2914261

Photograph of a three-quarter length portrait of Prince Alfred, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844-1900) dressed as Bacchus, representative of the season of Autumn. Prince Arthur stands, facing slightly to the left. He leans on a support draped with leopard skin, placing his right arm on top of the support. He wears a wreath of grapes and leaves in his hair, a pink coloured shirt and leggings, a leopard skin tunic and a belt.

Prince Arthur is dressed for a performance of 'Tableaux of the Seasons'.
  • Creator(s)

    Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

    Carl Haag (1820-1915) (colourist)

    Subject(s)

    Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)
  • 20.6 x 17 cm (image)

  • Commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs