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

Hand colouring

In this receipt, issued by Edward Corbould (1815-1905), hand-colouring is described as ‘elaborating upon Photographic foundations’. Corbould coloured a selection of photographs in the Royal Collection. [PPTO/PP/QV/PP2/17/6670] ©

Photography was often criticised because of its restricted, black and white appearance. An 1842 article stated, 

It must want colour. . . and its best likeness can be only that of a rigid bust, or a corpse.

To combat this, many photographers took to offering coloured portraits through hand colouring.  

One of the early photographers to develop a means of colouring portraits was William Edward Kilburn. In 1847, Kilburn showed his coloured daguerreotype portraits at the Royal Society, London. The following year, Prince Albert commissioned Kilburn to take his portrait. The portrait, shown below, was coloured with fine, coloured powders, providing a unique vision of the young Prince. The powders were lightly applied so as to be translucent. As a result, details such as folds in clothing and hair are still visible. This gives the work a highly realistic feel. Kilburn worked, however, with a certain level of artistic licence. The photograph was taken in a studio with a blank background but Kilburn has placed the young Prince against a cloudy sky.

William Edward Kilburn (1818-91)

Prince Albert (1819-1861)

Attributed to Leonida Caldesi (1823-91)

The Princess Royal's Bridesmaids

John Jabez Edwin Mayall (1813-1901)

Prince Albert (1819-61)

British School, 19th century

Princess Beatrice (1857-1944)

Sir Edward Augustus Inglefield (1820-94)

Young Inughuit girls