Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist Alexander Bassano. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This photograph, taken by Guy Little, captures actress Ethel Irving in costume for the play The Red Hussar at London’s Lyric Theatre.
About this work
Overview
These were mass-produced albumen prints on card stock, popular from the 1860s to the 1890s, and served as both memorabilia and promotional tools for performers.
This photograph, taken by Guy Little, captures actress Ethel Irving in costume for the play The Red Hussar at London’s Lyric Theatre. It belongs to a personal archive of theatrical images assembled by Little, who collected and mounted hundreds of cartes de visite and cabinet cards. These were mass-produced albumen prints on card stock, popular from the 1860s to the 1890s, and served as both memorabilia and promotional tools for performers.
Subject & Meaning
Ethel Irving is depicted in her stage role, not as herself, emphasizing the performative identity central to Victorian theatre culture. The image functions as a visual record of a specific production and actor, preserving the ephemeral nature of live performance. Such photographs allowed audiences to extend their engagement with theatre beyond the stage, turning actors into recognizable public figures.
Technique & Style
The image is an albumen print derived from a glass negative, mounted on stiff card backing with the photographer’s imprint. This method, standard for cartes de visite and cabinet cards, produced sharp, durable portraits with a glossy surface. The composition is formal, typical of studio portraiture, with attention to costume and lighting to highlight the theatrical character rather than the individual.
History & Provenance
The photograph was part of Guy Tristram Little’s private collection, later donated to the V&A. Little, a solicitor and avid collector of ephemera, removed the images from their original mounts and reorganized them into themed albums. His collection, including materials from Gabrielle Enthoven’s theatrical archive, became foundational to the V&A’s theatre holdings, preserving a key slice of 19th-century performance culture.
Context
During the Victorian era, cartes de visite and cabinet cards were ubiquitous, circulating as collectible items among the middle class. Theatrical portraits were especially popular, reflecting public fascination with stage stars. As photography became more accessible, these images bridged the gap between elite theatre and domestic leisure, turning performance into a shared cultural experience.
Legacy
Little’s assembled collection remains a vital resource for studying Victorian theatre, offering insight into costume, staging, and public reception. The survival of these photographs, once disposable commercial items, underscores their historical value. The V&A’s Theatre Collections, shaped by Little’s curation and Enthoven’s donations, continue to inform research into performance history.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alexander Bassano took photographs of actors on stage and in costume during the late 1800s.
