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 1863 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This photograph depicts Stella Colas in the role of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet, performed at the Princess's Theatre.
About this work
Overview
This photograph depicts Stella Colas in the role of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet, performed at the Princess's Theatre. It is an example of a theatrical 'carte de visite', a type of albumen print on card popular during the Victorian era.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Stella Colas as Juliet, highlights the intersection of photography and theatre in Victorian culture, where such images served as both promotional tools for performers and collectibles for the public.
Technique & Style
The photograph is an albumen print from a glass negative, mounted on stiff card, characteristic of 'cartes de visite' produced from the 1850s to the late 1870s. The format reflects the technological and aesthetic standards of mid-to-late 19th-century portrait photography.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a 'carte de visite' collection, this photograph was removed from its backing, mounted in an album, and later bequeathed to the V&A by Guy Tristram Little, a collector and solicitor, as part of his extensive photographic collection.
Context
Created during the heyday of 'cartes de visite' (1860s), this photograph represents a cultural phenomenon where collecting images of famous actors in character became a fashionable pastime, bridging theatre enthusiasts and the broader public.
Legacy
As part of the V&A's collection, facilitated by Guy Little's bequest and his connection to Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven's theatrical collection, the photograph contributes to the historical record of Victorian theatre and the evolution of photographic practices.
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.
