Portraiture
Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography
Princess Helena (1846-1923) and Princess Louise, later Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)
c.1880 after an original of 7 Apr 1859Carbon 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)
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.
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
- Costume & National dress
- Ethnology
- Social sciences