Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist London Stereoscopic Company. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Made in 1876, it’s a theatrical portrait by the London Stereoscopic Company.
This photo shows actor Henry Neville in a play called *The Gascon*.
Made in 1876, it’s a theatrical portrait by the London Stereoscopic Company.
Albumen prints like this were pasted on stiff cards and sold as keepsakes.
Back then, fans collected these “cartes de visite” like trading cards.
They featured actors, scenery, and famous sights—all the rage in the 1860s.
Bigger “cabinet cards” arrived later and took over for a while.
Check out more at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1876 photograph, titled Guy Little Theatrical Photograph, depicts actor Henry Neville in character from the play The Gascon. Produced by the London Stereoscopic Company, it is an albumen print on stiff card, characteristic of theatrical portraits from the era.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Henry Neville, is captured in theatrical costume, reflecting the Victorian practice of documenting performers in role for public consumption. Such images catered to the growing demand for celebrity likenesses among the general public.
Technique & Style
The photograph is an albumen print, a common technique at the time, made from a glass negative and mounted on card. This format was standard for 'cartes de visite' and, later, 'cabinet cards', differing primarily in size and card stiffness.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a 'carte de visite' collection, this photograph was among those removed from their backing, mounted in albums by collector Guy Tristram Little, and later bequeathed to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) upon his death in 1953.
Context
Created during the peak of 'cartes de visite' popularity (1860s-1870s), this photograph represents a transitional moment in photographic technology and public fascination with theatrical personalities, preceding the rise of 'cabinet cards' and eventually, postcards.
Legacy
Now part of the V&A's Theatre Collections, initially founded on Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven's theatrical collection (for which Guy Little served as solicitor and executor), this photograph contributes to the historical record of Victorian theatrical culture and the evolution of photographic practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
The London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company was founded in 1854 by George Swan Nottage and Howard John Kennard.
