Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by Fradelle & Leach. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This photograph depicts Louise Clare, a late 19th-century actor, captured by the studio Fradelle & Leach in the 1890s. The image is an example of theatrical portraiture from the era, reflecting the popularity of collecting actor portraits on card-mounted photographs.
Subject & Meaning
Louise Clare is the central subject, showcasing her in a theatrical context, though the specific role or play is not identified. The photograph served as a collectible item, contributing to the broader phenomenon of Victorian-era theatrical fandom and memorabilia.
Technique & Style
The photograph is an albumen print from a glass negative, mounted on stiff card backing, characteristic of both 'cartes de visite' (earlier, smaller format) and 'cabinet cards' (later, larger format), with the latter being more relevant to the 1890s dating of this piece.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a large collection of theatrical 'cartes de visite' and 'cabinet cards' assembled by Guy Tristram Little, it was later bequeathed to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) upon Little's death in 1953.
Context
Created during the transition from 'cartes de visite' to 'cabinet cards', this photograph reflects the Victorian era's embrace of photography for both practical identification and celebrity culture, particularly in the theatre.
Legacy
Now part of the V&A's Theatre Collections, initially founded on Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven's theatrical collection (for whom Little was executor), the photograph contributes to the historical record of late 19th-century theatre personalities and the evolution of photographic technology.
Artist & collection
Artist
Fradelle & Leach hid behind their camera. Working in late 1800s London, they roamed backstage at theaters, snapping portraits of actors in costume before the play started. Their photos feel like stolen moments: a…
