Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Anton Hanak. It dates from 1914 and 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, is part of a collection bequeathed by William Kineton Parkes to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1938.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph depicts a sculpted figure in a crouched position, with one hand on the head and the other arm resting on the knee. The pose conveys a sense of introspection or distress, emphasized by the defined muscles and slightly turned body.
Technique & Style
The image features a strong contrast between the light-colored stone sculpture and a dark background. The lighting accentuates the figure’s back and arms, highlighting the smooth yet rough-edged surface of the stone.
History & Provenance
The photograph was one of many sent to William Kineton Parkes in response to his questionnaires to sculptors in the 1920s, as part of his research on sculpture.
Context
Part of a broader collection gathered by Kineton Parkes, a novelist, art historian, and librarian, this photograph reflects his scholarly interest in sculpture, particularly during the early 20th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anton Hanak was an Austrian sculptor and art Professor. His works tend to have a visionary-symbolic character, related to Expressionism.
