Who painted Statue titled Virginius, Great Exhibition 1851?

Statue titled Virginius, Great Exhibition 1851 was painted by Nicolaas Henneman in 1851.

Where can I see Statue titled Virginius, Great Exhibition 1851?

Statue titled Virginius, Great Exhibition 1851 is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Statue titled Virginius, Great Exhibition 1851?

Statue titled Virginius, Great Exhibition 1851 is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Statue titled Virginius, Great Exhibition 1851

Nicolaas Henneman , 1851

Statue titled Virginius, 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.

About this work

To learn more about the techniques used to create such detailed sculptures, explore the technique of sfumato.

This photograph shows a statue of a man and a woman. The man stands with his right arm raised, while the woman kneels beside him. The statue is titled "Virginius" and was displayed at the Great Exhibition in 1851.

The photograph is in sepia tones, giving it a warm, aged appearance. The statue itself appears to be made of a dark material, possibly bronze or marble. The man's facial expression is stern, while the woman's is more subdued.

The photograph is a testament to the artistry of the time. To learn more about the techniques used to create such detailed sculptures, explore the technique of sfumato.

Overview

The image is an unmounted waxed‑paper negative taken of Nicolaas Henneman’s 1851 sculpture *Virginius*. The photograph records the work as it was presented at the Great Exhibition of 1851, capturing the composition in sepia tones that emphasize the dark material of the statue.

Subject & Meaning

The group depicts a male figure in profile, his right arm raised, supporting a draped female figure seated on his knee. The man's expression is severe, contrasting with the woman's more restrained demeanor, suggesting a narrative of protection or sacrifice associated with the legendary Roman consul Lucius Verginius.

Technique & Style

Henneman’s sculpture is rendered in a dense, dark medium—likely bronze or a similarly patinated material—allowing strong chiaroscuro effects. The photograph’s waxed‑paper negative reproduces the subtle gradations of light across the forms, preserving the sculptural depth and surface texture.

History & Provenance

Created for the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, *Virginius* was exhibited alongside other contemporary works to showcase modern European art. The surviving photographic negative, produced shortly after the exhibition, provides one of the few visual records of the piece, whose current whereabouts are undocumented.