Not currently on display at the V&A

'Taking a photograph'

Illustration
ca.1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ernest Nister (1842-1909) began his publishing career in 1885 when he acquired a lithographic workshop in Nürnberg and printed books for London publishers. In 1888 he became a publisher in his own right with offices at 24 St. Bride Street, London. He appointed the writer and editor, Robert Ellice Mack, as director.

Nister specialised in high quality colour printing for children in the last quarter of the 19th century. Movable books with various mechanisms became his speciality after 1890 (when be published his first stand-up book) but he also produced numerous picture books, annuals, poetry, nursery rhymes, calendars and greetings cards. He worked with a core of writers, including Clifton Bingham and Robert Ellice Mack, and illustrators, in particular Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.

This illustration by Eveline (or Evelyn) Lance appears alongside a story entitled 'A Clever Photographer' by Edith Robarts in Happy Playtimes (no.755), published in London by Ernest Nister and in New York by E.P. Dutton & Co.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • 'Taking a photograph' (manufacturer's title)
  • 'A Clever Photographer' (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by Eveline Lance, 1900; commissioned by Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on card of a girl on the left of the drawing holding a kitten sitting on a striped floral armchair having her photograph taken by a boy on the right of the drawing standing behind a camera motioning to the girl. The boy's head is covered by a cloth as he takes the photograph; he uses a blue umbrella to assist in supporting the camera. The boy stands on a colourful rug on the floor. The carpet is blue and the walls wood-panelled. There is a partial view of a window in the background. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 360mm
  • Mount width: 302mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Signed by the artist on the carpet inthe drawing: 'E. Lance'
  • Bookplate on verso reads: 'From the Library of Anne Renier and F.G. Renier'
  • Initialled by Anne Renier in ink on verso: 'AR'
  • Inscribed in blue crayon on verso: 'XXB', '12/12', '40' and 'C'
  • Inscribed in pencil on verso: 'E Lance'
  • White and blue decorative label on verso, inscribed in ink '7671'
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by Eveline Lance ca.1900 for Ernest Nister. Bequeathed to the V&A in 1970 by Anne and Fernand G. Renier as part of the Renier Collection.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Ernest Nister (1842-1909) began his publishing career in 1885 when he acquired a lithographic workshop in Nürnberg and printed books for London publishers. In 1888 he became a publisher in his own right with offices at 24 St. Bride Street, London. He appointed the writer and editor, Robert Ellice Mack, as director.

Nister specialised in high quality colour printing for children in the last quarter of the 19th century. Movable books with various mechanisms became his speciality after 1890 (when be published his first stand-up book) but he also produced numerous picture books, annuals, poetry, nursery rhymes, calendars and greetings cards. He worked with a core of writers, including Clifton Bingham and Robert Ellice Mack, and illustrators, in particular Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.

This illustration by Eveline (or Evelyn) Lance appears alongside a story entitled 'A Clever Photographer' by Edith Robarts in Happy Playtimes (no.755), published in London by Ernest Nister and in New York by E.P. Dutton & Co.
Other number
Nister - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
Collection
Library number
RENIER.317

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 28, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest