Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, room 512M , Case MX8, Shelf X290, Box J

Portrait of Prince Alamayou

Photograph
July 1868 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a photograph of seven-year-old Prince Dejatch Alamayou (1861–1879) taken on the Isle of Wight. Alamayou was the son of the Emperor of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). He was orphaned in early 1868 and, according to his father's dying wish, taken to England by the British army.

While staying on the Isle of Wight he was introduced to Queen Victoria, whose family spent summers on the island. This photograph was taken at her home, Osborne House. Alamayou's name is not written on the mount, but the words 'Osborne, July 1868' are inscribed on the back. This, together with comparisons with other known portraits, leaves us in no doubt that it is the young prince.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePortrait of Prince Alamayou (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Photograph
Brief description
Carte de visite photograph by Jabez Hughes showing a young African boy, Prince Dejatch Alamayou, July 1868
Physical description
Photograph (carte de visite) showing a young African boy wearing a suit and standing beside a table. The words 'JABEZ HUGHES' and 'RYDE. I.W' are printed on the card mount.
Dimensions
  • With mount height: 10.5cm
  • With mount width: 6.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Royal Photographic Studio/ Mr Jabez Hughes, Photographer to the Queen/ and HRH the Prince of Wales/ Regina House, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Printed in ink on the reverse)
  • Osborne/July 1868 (Handwritten in ink on the reverse)
Credit line
Transferred from the British Museum
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
This is a photograph of seven-year-old Prince Dejatch Alamayou (1861–1879) taken on the Isle of Wight. Alamayou was the son of the Emperor of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). He was orphaned in early 1868 and, according to his father's dying wish, taken to England by the British army.

While staying on the Isle of Wight he was introduced to Queen Victoria, whose family spent summers on the island. This photograph was taken at her home, Osborne House. Alamayou's name is not written on the mount, but the words 'Osborne, July 1868' are inscribed on the back. This, together with comparisons with other known portraits, leaves us in no doubt that it is the young prince.
Collection
Accession number
E.1457-2000

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdApril 28, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest