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

GEORGE PINER CARTLAND

The Munshi Abdul Karim (1863-1909)

c.1870-88

Albumen print hand-coloured with watercolour | 14.3 x 9.3 cm (image) | RCIN 2914338

Hand painted photograph of a full length portrait of the Munshi Abdul Karim (1863-1909) seated on a chair. He rests his right hand on the top of an umbrella and is seated in front of an ivy clad wall. 

  • Creator(s)

    George Piner Cartland (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Abdul Karim (1863-1909)

  • 14.3 x 9.3 cm (image)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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