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Learn more about the photographic techniques available in the mid-19th century

Albumen print

The albumen print was invented by Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard (1802–72) in 1850. The albumen print became the preferred medium for photographers owing to its production of highly detailed photographs in rich, brown tones, which worked in perfect harmony with the wet collodion process. Arguably the most popular of nineteenth-century photography techniques, the albumen print was used until the end of the nineteenth century.

Photograph of a full length double portrait of the sisters, Victoria-Alice and Mary Symons. The young girls stand in front of a wall and face the camera front on. The younger girl holds a doll. They both wear patterned dresses, light colour stockings and

'Victoria Alice and Mary Symons'

©

Albumen photographs consist of photosensitive chemicals and silver bound to paper via an albumen, or raw egg white, layer. To create the positive image, a negative is placed in contact with the albumen paper and then exposed to light to ’print out’ the positive image. Albumen print paper is incredibly thin and fragile and works are therefore commonly adhered to thick card or mounted in albums. Initially, photographers created their own albumen paper. However, by the end of the nineteenth century, companies began producing albumen paper due to significant demand for easy, ready-made products.  

This photograph is one among a number of works commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of members of the royal household and their children. It was taken near Balmoral and depicts Victoria Alice and Mary Symons. The albumen print’s capacity for replicating and representing detail is evident in the way the blades of grass and folds in the young girls’ clothing is seen.

Key examples of albumen prints

Charles Thurston Thompson (1816-68)

A Quiet Moment

Wilson & Hay (active 1853-55)

The New Castle at Balmoral

Charles Clifford (1819-62)

Wedding group in Estremadura, Spain

Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)

View of ship deck