Artwork
Eve
Eve is a photographic photography by Ercole Drei. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The image is a sepia‑toned photograph of Ercole Drei’s sculpture titled “Eve.” The work shows a seated, nude female figure rendered in a smooth white material, likely marble or plaster, positioned on a circular plinth. The pose features the right arm folded behind the back and the left arm bent forward, hand resting on the left knee.
Subject & Meaning
The figure embodies a classical representation of the biblical Eve, emphasizing the naturalistic treatment of the human body. The composition balances serenity and tension through the contrasting arm positions, inviting contemplation of vulnerability and poise within the mythic narrative.
Technique & Style
Drei’s handling of the material creates a polished, lifelike surface that captures anatomical detail while maintaining an idealized smoothness. The sculptural style aligns with early‑20th‑century neoclassical tendencies, echoing the tradition of rendering the nude in a restrained, academic manner.
History & Provenance
The photograph was mounted on green card and entered the collection of William Kineton Parkes after his 1938 bequest. Parkes, a novelist and art historian noted for his scholarship on sculpture, gathered visual documentation from sculptors in the 1920s through questionnaires; this image is one of the many submissions he received.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ercole Drei was an Italian sculptor. His work was part of the sculpture event in the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
