Prince Imperial c. 1860

"Prince Imperial" is a carte de visite photograph by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri, taken around 1860. The photograph depicts a young boy, the Prince Imperial, standing with a toy horse. This small format photograph was common in the mid-19th century, especially for portraiture. Disdéri was a pioneer in the use of this format, which he patented in 1854. The photograph is a testament to the growing popularity of photography as a means of capturing personal moments and preserving memories during the Victorian era. The photograph's intimate scale and detailed portrayal of the prince's attire highlight the portrait genre's ability to capture individual personalities and social status.