Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Johan Fahlström. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This untitled black-and-white photograph, mounted on a green card, depicts a plaster model of a muscular male statue. The figure stands on one leg, holding a small round object in its right hand, with the left arm resting on its hip, set against a rough stone or plaster background.
Subject & Meaning
The statue portrayed shows a dynamic, naturalistic male form with a distinctive curly hairstyle. The intentional preservation of the model's textured, 'wet' appearance highlights the artist's emphasis on the creative process over a polished finish.
Technique & Style
The photograph captures the sculptural model's raw state, revealing the artist's deliberate choice to retain tool marks and a rough texture, characteristic of a preliminary stage in the sculpting process.
History & Provenance
The photograph was part of a collection received by William Kineton Parkes, a novelist, art historian, and librarian, in response to his 1920s questionnaires sent to sculptors. It was bequeathed as part of his collection in 1938.
Context
While the specific artist is not identified here, the style and emphasis on the sculptural process might draw comparisons to artists like Johan Fahlström, known for similar expressive and textured approaches in their work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johan Fahlström made quiet, untitled photographs that feel like stills from some everyday drama.
