Photographic Technologies
Learn more about the photographic techniques available in the mid-19th century
Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales, Princess Alice and the Duchess of Gloucester at Gloucester House, 1856
30 Jun 1856Hand-coloured daguerreotype | 6.4 x 5.2 cm (image) (image) | RCIN 2932493
This daguerreotype depicts Queen Victoria with her children Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Princess Alice and her aunt, the Duchess of Gloucester (1776–1857). The photograph was taken at Gloucester House. Following exposure, the work was delicately hand-coloured with pigments.
Queen Victoria recorded the photography session in her journal, noting:
went in the afternoon to Gloucester House & was daguérotyped [sic] with dear Aunt Gloucester, Bertie & Alice, several times.
Queen Victoria's Journal, RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 30 June 1856 (Princess Beatrice's copies)
At least four daguerreotypes were made during this sitting and on the photographer's request a notice was included in the Court Circular on 2 July.
The Duchess of Gloucester, the last surviving child of King George III (1738–1820), died the next year on 30 April 1857.
