Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Ernest Alfred Cole, photographic
Untitled, by Ernest Alfred Cole, photographic

Untitled is a photographic photography by Ernest Alfred Cole. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This untitled black-and-white photograph, mounted on green card, depicts a modern building under construction. The image features smooth, light-colored stone block walls, with two carved figures resting on a ledge above a window, surrounded by scaffolding and wooden planks.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the photograph is a construction site, with the carved figures appearing to represent workers (possibly builders or laborers) in a moment of repose. The inclusion of these figures may suggest a narrative or thematic emphasis on the laborers behind the building's creation.

Technique & Style

The photograph exhibits a grainy texture, contributing to an overall vintage aesthetic despite the modernity of the building under construction. The style is straightforward, prioritizing documentation of the scene.

History & Provenance

The photograph was part of a series received by William Kineton Parkes, a novelist, art historian, and librarian, in response to questionnaires sent to sculptors in the 1920s. It was bequeathed to the collection in 1938 and is now housed in the Archive of Art and Design.

Context

Originally part of a survey response from a sculptor, this photograph reflects the intersection of artistic practice and documentation in the early 20th century. Its current location in the Archive of Art and Design situates it within a broader collection of artistic and design historical materials.

Artist & collection