Artwork
Virgil
Virgil is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist Fratelli Alinari. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1854 photograph, titled 'Virgil', is a sepia-toned image of a drawing depicting a man in antique attire holding a book. The work is attributed to Fratelli Alinari, an Italian photography firm.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph represents the Roman poet Virgil, identified by a label on the mount. The figure is shown from the waist up, wearing a skull cap and robe, with a focus on his upper body and facial features.
Technique & Style
The image is a photograph of a drawing, presenting a black-and-white representation with visible aging effects, including smudges and stains. The artist's name is inscribed in the corner, a characteristic unusual for photographs at the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Fratelli Alinari made early photographs in the 1850s, staging classical figures and nude studies in their studio.
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