Artwork
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a photographic photography by Wooley & Dow. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This photograph depicts Kate Vaughan, a prominent actress of her time, captured in full theatrical costume.
About this work
In 1890s London, fans could buy a small photo of their favorite actress.
Wooley & Dow made this cabinet card of Kate Vaughan in the 19th century.
She’s shown in full costume, ready for the stage.
These cards were bigger than earlier visiting-card photos.
People collected them like trading cards.
They helped actors stay famous between shows.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This photograph depicts Kate Vaughan, a prominent actress of her time, captured in full theatrical costume. The image is a cabinet card, a type of photograph mounted on stiff card backing, produced in the 19th century by the photography studio Wooley & Dow.
Subject & Meaning
Kate Vaughan is portrayed in her stage attire, highlighting her professional identity as an actress. The photograph served to maintain her public visibility between performances, contributing to her enduring fame during the late 19th century.
Technique & Style
The photograph is an albumen print from a glass negative, characteristic of cabinet cards. Its larger size compared to earlier 'cartes de visite' reflects the evolving technology and consumer preferences of the time.
History & Provenance
This cabinet card was part of a extensive collection assembled by Guy Tristram Little, a collector and solicitor, who later bequeathed it to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) as part of a broader theatrical collection.
Context
Produced in the 1890s, this photograph aligns with the peak popularity of cabinet cards in London, a period where such images were widely collected, akin to modern trading cards, facilitating the cult of celebrity among theatre enthusiasts.
Artist & collection
Artist
Woolley & Dow ran a photo studio in Boston where actors lined up in costume, waiting for their turn to pose.
