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Guy Little Theatrical Photograph

London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company

1903

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Early Modern Actor

Dominant colour

Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a 1903 photographic by London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, depicting Actor, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company
When & what style?: 1903
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This is a 1903 photograph from the Victoria and Albert Museum. It shows actor Johnston Forbes-Robertson in his role as Dick Heldar from the play *The Light that Failed*. The photo was taken at the Lyric Theatre during a live performance. It’s part of an old tradition where actors posed for publicity shots in costume. Next time you’re in London, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

A sepia photograph by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company depicts Johnston Forbes-Robertson in character as Dick Heldar from the play *The Light that Failed*, staged at the Lyric Theatre. The image belongs to a collection of 19th-century theatrical photographs assembled by Guy Little, who later donated it to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Originally produced as an albumen print on card, the photograph reflects the widespread Victorian practice of collecting actor portraits in formats such as *cartes de visite* and *cabinet cards*. The collection, once mounted in albums, includes…

Read the full account in the museum source.