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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Record of historical events

Victoria and Albert collected photographs that documented the political and military events that defined a period of global expansion

CHARLES THURSTON THOMPSON (1816-68)

Engineers at work, Boulogne

c. 1857

Albumen prints | 21.8 x 29.2 cm (image) | RCIN 2500813

Photograph showing carpenters at work between a hut and a pile of wood. Another pile of wood is visible in the background while debris, wood shavings, a couple of broken wheelbarrows and other pieces of wood piled together occupy most of the foreground.

  • Creator(s)

    Charles Thurston Thompson (1816-68) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Army-France-Infantry

  • 21.8 x 29.2 cm (image)

  • Engineers at work, Boulogne. [Boulogne and Aldershot, c. late 1850s].

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • France
          • Boulogne-sur-Mer [Pas-de-Calais]
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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