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 1864 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1864 photograph captures Adah Isaacs Menken in character as Mazeppa at Astley's Theatre.
About this work
This photo from 1864 shows actress Adah Isaacs Menken on stage. She’s dressed for the role of Mazeppa at Astley’s Theatre. The shot was made by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.
These small photos were called cartes de visite. They were cheap to print and easy to collect. Fans bought stacks of them, like trading cards today.
Try looking up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.
Overview
This 1864 photograph captures Adah Isaacs Menken in character as Mazeppa at Astley's Theatre. It is an example of a carte de visite, a small, mass-produced photographic format popular during the Victorian era.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts Menken in theatrical costume, highlighting her role in the production of Mazeppa. The photograph served as a promotional tool and a collectible item for fans.
Technique & Style
Produced by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, the carte de visite was an albumen print made from a glass negative, mounted on card. This format was characteristic of the era's photographic technology and presentation.
History & Provenance
The photograph was part of a collection assembled by Guy Tristram Little, a solicitor and collector who bequeathed it to the V&A. Little's collection included various photographic formats, which he mounted in albums.
Context
Cartes de visite were a popular phenomenon in the 1860s, with millions produced. They featured a range of subjects, including portraits, scenic views, and works of art, and were collected by enthusiasts.
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.
