Portret van John Hare before 1883

This is a photographic portrait of John Hare by The St. James's Photographic Company. Images like this one provide a window onto the social and cultural life of the late 19th century. The photograph offers us insights into the world of Victorian theatre, a popular form of entertainment that catered to a broad spectrum of society. John Hare was a renowned actor and theatre manager, and his portrait reflects the increasing professionalization of the stage. It also reveals a developing celebrity culture in which prominent performers were marketed as public figures. Photographic studios played a vital role in shaping this culture, producing images that circulated in publications like this one. Close attention to surviving theatre archives and periodicals sheds light on the dynamics between actors, audiences, and the institutions that shaped their interactions.