Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by Lock & Whitfield. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This photograph depicts Marie Litton, a 19th-century actress, captured through the then-novel medium of photography.
About this work
Overview
This photograph depicts Marie Litton, a 19th-century actress, captured through the then-novel medium of photography. The image was produced as a collectible format, characteristic of the Victorian era's fascination with this new technology.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Marie Litton, is portrayed in a theatrical context, though the specific role or play is not identified in the photograph. The image reflects the practice of actors commissioning photographs for promotional or collectible purposes.
Technique & Style
Created using a glass negative, the photograph was printed on albumen paper mounted on stiff card, a technique that ensured durability. This method was standard for 'cartes de visite' and later 'cabinet cards', formats designed for mass production and collection.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a 'cartes de visite' collection, this photograph was later mounted in an album by Guy Tristram Little, a collector who bequeathed his collection to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) upon his death in 1953.
Context
Produced during the heyday of 'cartes de visite' (patented in 1854, popular through the 1860s) or possibly the transition to 'cabinet cards' (late 1870s), the photograph is part of a broader Victorian trend of collecting miniature portraits, scenic views, and artworks on card.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lock & Whitfield made crisp black-and-white photos of actors and performers from the late 1800s.
