Artwork
Dolce far Niente
Dolce far Niente is a photographic photography by Eugenio Maccagnani. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The photograph 'Dolce far Niente' depicts a stone statue of a reclining male figure. The image is a record of a sculpture, captured in a photographic print mounted on green card.
Subject & Meaning
The statue shows a shirtless man sitting on a block, in a relaxed pose with one arm behind his head. The carved inscription 'DOLCE FAR NIENTE' on the block translates to 'the sweetness of doing nothing', reflecting the tranquil atmosphere of the scene.
Technique & Style
The rough texture of the stone is evident in the photograph, accentuating the figure's muscles and the block's edges. The artist's name is signed on the side of the block, indicating the sculpture's authorship.
History & Provenance
The photograph was part of a collection bequeathed by William Kineton Parkes in 1938. Parkes, a novelist and art historian, had solicited responses from sculptors in the 1920s, and this image was one of many sent to him as part of their correspondence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Eugenio Maccagnani couldn’t sit still. He started as a painter, then hopped to sculpture, and ended up behind a camera—just to keep things interesting. While most photographers of the 1880s were chasing sharp focus, he…
