Artwork
The Sacrifice
The Sacrifice is a photographic photography by Leonardo Bistolfi. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Sacrifice is a photograph depicting a dramatic sculpture by Leonardo Bistolfi, mounted on green card. It was part of a collection bequeathed by William Kineton Parkes to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1938.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph captures a tense scene of three figures: a muscular man restrained on his back, a woman kneeling beside him in a mix of struggle and sorrow, and a looming aggressive figure behind. The composition conveys urgency and emotional intensity.
Technique & Style
The sculpture, as represented in the photograph, features rough textures and deep shadows, lending a sense of realism and raw emotion. The interplay of light on cloth and muscles suggests dynamic movement despite the static pose.
History & Provenance
The photograph was received by William Kineton Parkes, a novelist and art historian, in response to his questionnaires sent to sculptors in the 1920s. The related questionnaires are archived in the Archive of Art and Design.
Context
Part of a broader collection gathered by Parkes, known for his scholarly work on sculpture, The Sacrifice reflects early 20th-century artistic explorations of dramatic and emotionally charged themes.
Legacy
Now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, The Sacrifice remains accessible for public viewing, contributing to the museum’s collection of significant sculptural works from the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leonardo Bistolfi captured quiet, symbolic moments in black-and-white photographs.
