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

UNKNOWN PERSON

Rosina Penco (1823-94)

c.1880 copy of an original of c.1860

Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913677

Photograph of a full length portrait of the Italian opera singer Rosina Penco (1823-94) standing, facing a quarter to the right. She turns her head towards the camera and looks to the left. She holds a dark coloured laced shawl around her body. She poses in front of a painted backdrop depicting an interior scene.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Rosina Penco (1823-94)

  • annotation: Mme Penco./ Reproduced. [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.6 x 6.3 cm (mount)

    8.8 x 5.7 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • albums
          • photograph albums
        • photographs
          • cartes-de-visite
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