Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
1850
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This black-and-white photo shows Sarah Bernhardt frozen mid-role as the Queen in “Ruy Blas.” It was shot in the 1800s when stage stars posed for publicity portraits. You can still see the photographer’s embossed stamp on the card’s back. Victorian fans collected these tiny cards—called cartes de visite—like trading cards. Studios sold stacks of them to theaters and shops. Next, look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.
