Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by František Bílek. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A photograph mounted on a green card, bequeathed to the Archive of Art and Design in 1938 by William Kineton Parkes, presents a sculpture of a crucifix.
Subject & Meaning
The sculpture depicts a crucified figure with outstretched arms and an upturned head, rendered in a rough, textured material, attached to a similarly rugged cross. The image conveys a sense of stark simplicity, contrasting the sculpture's texture with a smooth white background.
Technique & Style
The photograph captures the sculpture's rough, uneven quality, with visible knots and grooves in the wooden cross, against a plain white surface. The image's simplicity highlights the textured sculpture.
History & Provenance
The photograph was part of William Kineton Parkes' collection, amassed through questionnaires distributed to sculptors in the 1920s. It was bequeathed to the Archive of Art and Design in 1938.
Context
The sculpture's style is reminiscent of the work of František Bílek, a sculptor known for his expressive and textured pieces.
Artist & collection
Artist
Czech artist František Bílek made wooden sculptures with sharp edges and deep grooves, bending the material until it looks almost like fabric.
