… From the theatre I have my world history,
geography and knowledge of human nature...

Hans Christian Andersen's private photo album contains portraits of several Danish and international playwrights, opera composers, choreographers, actors, singers, and dancers.

They are a broad selection of Danish and European theatre artists from three centuries with whom Andersen felt he had a special spiritual kinship or had formed personal friendships. All these friends within the theatre include personalities from all scenic and musical art forms.

In this portrait gallery a minor but representative selection of his many spiritual kinsmen are represented. They appear from the theatre poet's universe as they are preserved in his "Album amicorum".