Portret van Marie Harlem in La petite mariée before 1876

This photographic portrait of Marie Harlem, by Albert Delabarre, was included in the Brussels-Theatre magazine. We can consider it as a fascinating intersection of celebrity culture, theatrical performance, and print media in the late 19th century. The image presents Harlem in costume for ‘La Petite Mariée,’ or ‘The Little Bride’. It is surrounded by an elaborate frame, and placed within an issue containing advertisements of the time. Made in Belgium, this portrait reflects the rising popularity of theatrical productions and the associated culture of fame. It also mirrors the growing commercialization of the press, where advertisements and entertainment were closely intertwined. To understand this image more fully, one might delve into the archives of Brussels’ theatrical history, examining playbills, reviews, and other ephemera. The ways in which media outlets like the Brussels-Theatre magazine helped to shape perceptions of celebrity, gender, and social status can be further uncovered. We can also examine how institutions shape both artistic production, and its reception by the public.