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 2913612

Photograph of a full length portrait of the opera singer Róza Csillag (1832-92) standing, facing towards the camera. She gazes towards the left. She holds a lyre in her left hand, propping it up on a partially destroyed column base, and rests her right arm on top of the lyre. She places her right hand to her forehead. She is dressed in Classical-inspired garb, 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