The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park was the site of the 1851 Exhibition of the Works of all Nations, better known as the Great Exhibition. Following the exhibition's conclusion, the Crystal Palace was moved to Sydenham, South London, where it reopened in June 1854.

This photograph depicts Prince Albert and Queen Victoria seated on a dais with Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie of France during their visit to the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1855, which was part of the Emperor and Empress's state visit to England. During this time, the Crystal Palace exhibited a walk-through history of art that included Egyptian, Greek and Renaissance art and visual culture. The Crystal Palace continued to host exhibitions and events until it was destroyed by a fire in 1936.