Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1882 photograph depicts Fanny Stirling as the Nurse in a Lyceum Theatre production of Romeo and Juliet.
About this work
This 1882 photograph shows Fanny Stirling playing the Nurse in *Romeo and Juliet* at London’s Lyceum Theatre.
This 1882 photograph shows Fanny Stirling playing the Nurse in *Romeo and Juliet* at London’s Lyceum Theatre. It’s one of many theatrical portraits made for fans to collect.
Victorian actors posed for two popular photo types: small “cartes de visite” and larger “cabinet cards.” Both used stiff paper backs printed with the photographer’s name.
Check out more theater photos at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1882 photograph depicts Fanny Stirling as the Nurse in a Lyceum Theatre production of Romeo and Juliet. It is one of many theatrical portraits created for public consumption during the Victorian era.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Fanny Stirling in character, reflecting the era's theatrical culture and the public's desire for mementos of popular performers. The Nurse, a key role in Romeo and Juliet, highlights Stirling's involvement in a beloved Shakespearean play.
Technique & Style
The photograph is an albumen print from a glass negative, mounted on stiff card backing with the photographer's details, characteristic of both 'cartes de visite' (earlier, smaller format) and 'cabinet cards' (later, larger format), though the specific format of this piece is not detailed here.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a collection of theatrical 'cartes de visite' and 'cabinet cards', this photograph was removed from its backing, mounted in an album, and later bequeathed to the V&A by collector Guy Tristram Little (d.1953), who also managed the estate of Gabrielle Enthoven, a key figure in the V&A's Theatre Collections.
Context
Produced during the heyday of 'cartes de visite' and the rise of 'cabinet cards', this photograph exemplifies Victorian England's fascination with photography as a novel medium for collecting images of celebrities, landmarks, and art, with theatrical personalities being particularly popular.
Artist & collection
Artist
London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company
They snapped portraits for London’s theater crowd in the 1800s, turning actors and dancers into instant celebrities.
