Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by Thos. Fall. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This black-and-white photograph from the 19th century depicts Sophie Young, a stage performer, and is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. It exemplifies the early photographic practice of capturing theatrical personalities for public consumption.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph features Sophie Young, highlighting the Victorian era's fascination with theatrical figures. Such images catered to the growing demand for celebrity likenesses among fans, reflecting the intersection of theatre, photography, and popular culture.
Technique & Style
Created using the albumen print process from a glass negative, this photograph was originally mounted on stiff card backing, characteristic of 'cartes de visite' or possibly 'cabinet cards', depending on its exact date within the 19th century.
History & Provenance
The photograph was collected by Guy Tristram Little, a solicitor and collector of photographic and theatrical ephemera, who bequeathed his extensive collection to the V&A. It was previously part of an album collection, removed from its backing for archival purposes.
Context
Produced during the heyday of 'cartes de visite' (1854-1870s) or the subsequent 'cabinet card' era, this photograph reflects the technological and social novelty of photography in Victorian England, where such images were mass-produced and collected enthusiastically by the public.
Legacy
As part of the V&A's Theatre Collections, initially founded on Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven's theatrical collection (where Little served as solicitor and executor), this photograph contributes to the historical record of 19th-century theatre personalities and the evolution of photographic technology in popular culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thos. Fall carried a camera like others carried a notebook, always hunting for the one gesture that made a face look like it was about to speak. He spent the 1880s behind the scenes at London theatres, where actors…
