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.
About this work
Overview
This photograph, produced by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, features two prominent Victorian figures: poet Algernon Charles Swinburne and actress Adah Isaacs Menken. It is an example of a 'carte de visite', a type of photograph mounted on stiff card backing.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Swinburne and Menken, both celebrated in their respective fields, highlighting the intersection of literary and theatrical personalities of the time. The photograph's composition and the subjects' attire suggest a formal, everyday setting rather than a theatrical one.
Technique & Style
Technically, the photograph is an albumen print from a glass negative, adhering to the standard production method for 'cartes de visite' at the time. Stylistically, it reflects the characteristic stiffness and formality common in Victorian portrait photography.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a collection of 'cartes de visite' and 'cabinet cards' amassed by Guy Tristram Little, it was later bequeathed to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) as part of Little's estate. Little, a collector and solicitor, played a role in shaping the V&A's Theatre Collections through his association with Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven.
Context
Created in the 1860s, a period when photography was a relatively new technology, this 'carte de visite' represents a popular craze of the time. These small, collectible portraits were akin to modern trading cards, facilitating the widespread dissemination of images among the Victorian public.
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.
