Artwork
Head of one of the horses of the car of Silene
Head of one of the horses of the car of Silene is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist Leonida Caldesi. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Leonida Caldesi’s 1860 photograph records a stone horse’s head, now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection. The image, rendered in monochrome with a muted sepia cast, captures the fragment lying on its side, its surface marked by weathering, cracks and small chips that reveal the passage of time.
Subject & Meaning
The stone carving depicts the head of a horse, its eyes reduced to simple circular depressions and its mane suggested by short, uneven incisions. A faint numeral, “68,” is incised near the jaw, hinting at a possible cataloguing or identification system linked to the original sculptural ensemble.
Technique & Style
Caldesi employed the early photographic processes used for documenting three‑dimensional objects, producing a black‑and‑white negative that emphasizes texture and form. The photograph’s slightly faded tones and lack of colour reflect the technical limits of mid‑nineteenth‑century imaging, which prioritized accurate representation over aesthetic embellishment.
History & Provenance
Created in 1860, the photograph entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings as part of its early photographic archive. The museum’s acquisition underscores its commitment to preserving visual records of sculptural works, especially those that may no longer exist in their original context.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leonida Caldesi made photographs of classical sculptures in 1860. His images show pieces like *Torso of Cecrops* and *A Fragment of the Statue of Minerva*. These photos freeze ancient fragments in crisp detail. They sit…
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