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Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

Princess Helena (1846-1923) and Princess Louise, later Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)

c.1880 after an original of 7 Apr 1859

Carbon print | 15.8 x 11.5 cm (image) | RCIN 2900164

Photograph of a full length double portrait of Princess Helena (1846-1923) and Princess Louise, later Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939) standing, facing slightly towards each other and looking at the camera. The princesses wear costumes intended to represent Swiss peasants. This includes a hat decorated with flowers, knee-length dresses with full skirts and fingerless gloves. There is a pillar covered in foliage on the far left side of the photograph.

The princesses are dressed for the Bal Costumé at Buckingham Palace.

  • Creator(s)

    Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Princess Helena (1846-1923)
    Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)

  • annotation: Princess Helena and Princess Louise/ in the costume of Swiss Peasants./ (which they wore at the Bal Costume at Buckingham Palace,)/ April 7th 1859./ Caldesi. [beneath photograph]

  • 15.8 x 11.5 cm (image)

    30.8 x 24.4 cm (whole object)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • Costume-Peasant
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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