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

CAMILLE SILVY (1834-1910)

Róza Csillag (1832-92) in 'Orfeo'

1860

Albumen print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913610

Photograph of a full length portrait of the opera singer Róza Csillag (1832-92) standing, facing towards the camera. She turns her head and looks upwards, towards the left. She holds a lyre under her left arm and gestures upwards with her right arm. She is dressed in Classical-inspired garb and poses beside a partially destroyed column. She is dressed as a character in 'Orfeo', an opera about Orpheus and Eurydice. She poses in front of a painted backdrop depicting a Classical-inspired landscape, with ruins.

  • Creator(s)

    Camille Silvy (1834-1910) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Róza Csillag (1832-92)
  • annotation: Mme Csillag - in "Orfeo" [beneath work]

  • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

    9.4 x 6.2 cm (mount)

    8.5 x 5.6 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Prince Albert

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