Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Jennewein, C. Paul. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This photograph, mounted on a green card, records a modest sculpture depicting a seated woman cradling a small child.
About this work
Overview
This photograph, mounted on a green card, records a modest sculpture depicting a seated woman cradling a small child. The figures are rendered with rounded forms and a gentle interaction, the woman’s loose curls and the child’s reaching gesture suggesting intimacy. The work is presented as a single, smoothly finished block, emphasizing volume over detail.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a tender moment between mother and child, emphasizing closeness and protection. The simplified, rounded shapes convey a sense of universality, allowing the viewer to focus on the emotional bond rather than specific individual characteristics. The child’s gesture toward the mother’s face reinforces the theme of affection and dependence.
Technique & Style
Carved from one piece of material, the sculpture achieves a seamless surface that highlights its solid mass. The artist employs minimalistic modeling, using broad, flowing curves to define the figures. This approach reduces surface detail, creating a smooth, unified form that accentuates the overall silhouette and the relational dynamics of the subjects.
History & Provenance
The image forms part of a collection donated by William Kineton Parkes in 1938. Parkes, noted for his work on sculpture, gathered responses from sculptors during the 1920s through questionnaires; this photograph was among the visual material submitted. It resides in the Archive of Art and Design, where it contributes to the documentation of sculptural practice linked to Parkes’s research.
Artist & collection
