Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Konstanty Laszczka. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a black‑and‑white photograph mounted on a green backing, depicting a small sculpture of a young girl.
About this work
Overview
The work is a black‑and‑white photograph mounted on a green backing, depicting a small sculpture of a young girl. The figure shows the head and shoulders, hair cut short, and a loose, high‑necked garment. The subject’s face is turned slightly to the right, bearing a neutral expression, set against a dark backdrop that emphasizes the form’s simplicity.
Subject & Meaning
The sculptural portrait captures a youthful female figure in a restrained pose, suggesting an introspective or contemplative mood. The neutral expression and modest attire avoid narrative specifics, inviting viewers to consider the timeless qualities of youth and the subtlety of the sculptor’s observation of character.
Technique & Style
The sculpture appears to be rendered in white marble or plaster, its smooth surfaces highlighted by the photograph’s chiaroscuro lighting. The contrast between the bright material and the dark background creates a clear delineation of form, while the photograph’s monochrome tone reinforces the work’s understated elegance.
History & Provenance
The image was part of a series of photographs sent in the 1920s to art historian and librarian William Kineton Parkes for his research on sculpture. After Parkes’ death, his collection was bequeathed in 1938 to an institution, and the photograph now resides in the Archive of Art and Design.
Artist & collection
Artist
Konstanty Laszczka was a Polish sculptor, painter, graphic artist, as well as professor and rector of the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków.
