Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by Davis. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This photograph depicts Fred Charles Hengler, a 19th-century actor, in theatrical costume.
About this work
Overview
This photograph depicts Fred Charles Hengler, a 19th-century actor, in theatrical costume. It is an albumen print on card, specifically a 'cabinet card', designed for fans to collect and display portraits of performing artists.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Fred Charles Hengler, is showcased in character, reflecting the practice of actors posing in costume for photographic keepsakes during the Victorian era. This format catered to the public's desire for accessible, collectible images of stage personalities.
Technique & Style
The photograph is an albumen print, a common technique of the time, mounted on stiff card backing. The 'cabinet card' format, larger and more durable than its predecessor, the 'carte de visite', was popular from the late 1870s.
History & Provenance
Part of a substantial collection assembled by Guy Tristram Little (d.1953), this photograph was originally attached to a printed card backing with the photographer's details, later removed and mounted in an album. Little, a collector and solicitor, bequeathed the collection to the V&A.
Context
Emerging during the Victorian period, photography's novelty led to the widespread production of 'cartes de visite' and later 'cabinet cards', not only for portraits but also for scenic views and artworks, satisfying the public's appetite for collectible images.
Legacy
As part of the V&A's Theatre Collections, initially founded on Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven's theatrical collection (for which Little served as solicitor and executor), this photograph contributes to the historical record of 19th-century theatre and the evolution of photographic practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Stuart Davis (December 7, 1892 – June 24, 1964) was an American modernist painter.
