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Prince Albert: his life and legacy

A major new digitisation project will explore Prince Albert's enduring legacy and influence

LUDWIG GRÜNER (1801-82) AFTER RAPHAEL (1483–1520)

The Coved Ceiling of the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican by Raffaelle d’Urbino

from Grüner’s 'Specimens of Ornamental Art', London, 1850

RCIN 852609

Prince Albert met the engraver Ludwig Grüner in Rome in 1839, the year before the Prince married Queen Victoria, and in 1841 Grüner arrived in London to serve as Albert’s artistic adviser. He was a pioneer in the rapidly developing technique of chromolithography, seen most spectacularly in his volume Specimens of Ornamental Art, which presented the 'best models' of decorative art from the Classical era to the Renaissance.  As with photography, Prince Albert embraced this new medium, and initiated or supported several illustrative projects employing chromolithography.


    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.