Who painted Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851?

Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851 was painted by Nicolaas Henneman in 1851.

Where can I see Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851?

Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851 is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851?

Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851 is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851

Nicolaas Henneman , 1851

Statue of a 16th Century Man, Great Exhibition 1851 is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist Nicolaas Henneman. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The image is an unmounted waxed‑paper negative dating from 1851, documenting a small sculpture exhibited at the Great Exhibition.

About this work

This was taken at the Great Exhibition in 1851, a big fair where new inventions and art were shown.

This is a black-and-white photo of a statue showing a man in old-fashioned clothes. He’s standing on a small pedestal, wearing a long coat, loose shirt, and boots. His right hand holds a small object, and his left arm rests on a tall post behind him. The statue looks worn, with rough edges and faded details.

The photo itself is yellowed and torn around the edges, like an old document. This was taken at the Great Exhibition in 1851, a big fair where new inventions and art were shown.

Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more original objects like this.

Overview

The image is an unmounted waxed‑paper negative dating from 1851, documenting a small sculpture exhibited at the Great Exhibition. The photograph, now yellowed and frayed at the margins, captures a standing male figure rendered in a modest pedestal. The negative’s monochrome tone preserves the weathered surface and the faint inscription of an Electric Telegraph Company plaque attached to the base.

Subject & Meaning

The statue portrays a man in period attire—a long coat, loose shirt, and boots—holding a sword‑like object in his right hand while his left arm leans against a tall post behind him. The pose suggests readiness or ceremonial duty, and the presence of the telegraph company’s plaque hints at a connection between the figure and contemporary communication technology.

Technique & Style

The sculpture appears to be cast in a material that has become pitted and softened with age, giving it a rough, worn appearance. Its details are subdued, with the folds of clothing and the sword rendered in low relief, allowing the overall form to be discerned despite the faded surface.

History & Provenance

Created for display at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, the work was photographed using a waxed‑paper negative, a common mid‑nineteenth‑century photographic process. The attached Electric Telegraph Company plaque indicates the firm’s sponsorship or endorsement, linking the piece to the era’s industrial and communicative advancements.

Context

The Great Exhibition showcased innovations and artistic productions from around the world, positioning this statue among a broader narrative of technological progress. The telegraph, a symbol of rapid information exchange, was a centerpiece of the fair, and the statue’s inclusion reflects the intertwining of artistic representation with emerging industrial identity.