Guy Little Theatrical Photograph

The photograph is an albumen print, a common technique of the time, made from a glass negative and mounted on stiff card backing. The style is typical of Victorian studio portraits, with the subject formally posed.

This photograph originates from a large collection assembled by Guy Tristram Little, a collector of photographs and other ephemera, who bequeathed it to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). Little was also associated with the formation of the V&A's Theatre Collections through his work with Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven.

Produced during the heyday of 'cartes de visite' (1854-1870s) and later 'cabinet cards', this photograph reflects the Victorian era's novelty with photography and the public's desire for celebrity images. It was part of a broader collecting craze for these small, portable portraits.

As part of the V&A's collection, this photograph of Adelina Patti contributes to the historical record of 19th-century theatrical personalities and the evolution of photographic technology and celebrity culture. It remains accessible through the museum's archives, offering insight into the intersection of art, technology, and fame during the Victorian period.