The Three Fates

The two statues depict female figures rendered in a classical idiom, one seated with her legs drawn close and the other leaning forward while holding a child on her lap. Their incomplete state—missing heads and limbs—suggests a focus on the remaining drapery and posture, inviting contemplation of loss and the passage of time.

Both figures are carved in a manner that imitates ancient Greek or Roman sculpture, with thick, undulating lines that suggest the folds of fabric. The photographer’s choice to frame the fragments highlights the texture of the stone and the chiaroscuro created by the lighting, underscoring the juxtaposition of antiquarian form and 19th‑century photographic practice.

The photograph was produced in 1860, a period when interest in classical antiquity was high among European artists and collectors. Caldesi, an Italian photographer active in the mid‑19th century, documented the statues, which were likely created to emulate classical models using contemporary tools and techniques. The print later entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings, where it remains accessible to the public.

During the mid‑1800s, the revival of classical motifs permeated decorative arts and academic training. Caldesi’s work reflects this trend, capturing the tension between the idealized past and the modern means of representation. The photograph serves as a visual record of how 19th‑century creators engaged with ancient aesthetics while employing the emerging medium of photography.