Artwork
The Awakening of Liberty
The Awakening of Liberty is a photographic photography by Leonardo Bistolfi. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Awakening of Liberty is a photograph of a carved relief sculpture depicting a woman. The image is mounted on green card and is part of a collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sculpture shows a woman with flowing hair and draped cloth, twisting upward with one arm raised and the other holding fabric close. The title suggests a theme of liberation, but the exact narrative is unclear.
Technique & Style
The sculpture's form is accentuated by the interplay of light and shadow, highlighting its curves. The stone appears soft, with deep grooves in the drapery and hair, achieved through skilled carving.
History & Provenance
The photograph was bequeathed by William Kineton Parkes in 1938, as part of a collection he assembled in the 1920s by soliciting responses from sculptors.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leonardo Bistolfi captured quiet, symbolic moments in black-and-white photographs.
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