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

LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

Prince Arthur, later Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught (1850-1942)

1857

Salted paper print | 17.7 x 15.1 cm (image) | RCIN 2900255

Photograph of the young Prince Arthur, late Duke of Connaught (1850-1942), bare-chested, with his head leaning on his right hand and his left arm resting on cushion in front of him.

Prince Arthur was born at Buckingham Palace on 1 May 1850. He was the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and enjoyed a long life of distinguished military and public service. In this photograph, taken by Caldesi in 1857, the Prince has adopted a pose reminiscent of the two putti in Raphael's 'Sistine Madonna'.
  • Creator(s)

    Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught (1850-1942)
    Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught (1850-1942)
  • annotation: Prince Arthur/ 1957/ By Caldesi [beneath work]

  • 17.7 x 15.1 cm (image)

    31.0 x 24.7 cm (whole object)

  • Prince Arthur, 1857 [in Portraits of Royal Children Vol.2 1855-1858]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs