Buckingham Palace 1850 - 1900

This albumen print of Buckingham Palace was made in England in the mid-19th century by an anonymous photographer. In this period, photography was becoming increasingly accessible, and the rise of commercial photography studios allowed for the mass production and distribution of images. This particular photograph captures the palace from across a body of water, likely in St. James's Park, a royal park that has been open to the public since the 17th century. The framing of Buckingham Palace in this way suggests a carefully constructed image of British royalty, one that both emphasizes its grandeur and allows for a safe distance. We may wonder, how this image serves the British monarchy? Does it seek to project authority, or to establish a sense of approachability? To truly understand this photograph, we must place it within its historical context, considering the social and political forces at play in Victorian England. This is where art history comes in, we analyze the image through meticulous research, drawing on archives, press reports, and publications.