Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Eugenio Maccagnani. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This untitled photograph, mounted on a green card, depicts a tall stone monument featuring five carved figures. The central figure, crowned and holding a globe, is flanked by two others, with additional figures at the ends holding shields or tools. The base is adorned with carvings of people, animals, a ship’s wheel, and a door-like motif.
Subject & Meaning
The monument’s central figure, wearing a crown and holding a globe, may symbolize power or leadership. The surrounding carvings, including possible battle and labor scenes, contribute to an overall impression of grandeur and busyness.
Technique & Style
The photograph itself does not reveal distinctive stylistic or technical traits beyond its documentary purpose, focusing on capturing the sculptural details of the monument.
History & Provenance
The photograph was part of a collection received by William Kineton Parkes in response to his 1920s questionnaires to sculptors. Bequeathed by Parkes in 1938, it is now archived in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Archive of Art and Design.
Context
Similar works can be found within the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collections, suggesting the monument’s style and themes align with other sculptural pieces of its time.
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…
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