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.

Glass plate negatives

Albert and Victoria’s collection of glass plate negatives show photographers’ working methods

JOHN JABEZ EDWIN MAYALL (1813-1901)

Leopold I, King of the Belgians (1790-1865)

1860

RCIN 2082488

Glass plate negative of a full length portrait of Leopold I, King of the Belgians standing and facing towards the camera. He turns his head to look at the right. He wears a long overcoat and rests his left hand on an ornamental plinth.

The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from an almost identical negative (RCIN 2907574) exists in the Collection, RCIN 2907574.
  • Creator(s)

    John Jabez Edwin Mayall (1813-1901) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Leopold I, King of the Belgians (1790-1865)
  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • negatives
            • glass plate negatives