Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Ladislav Saloun. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a black‑and‑white photograph depicting a preliminary clay maquette of a horse and rider.
About this work
Overview
The work is a black‑and‑white photograph depicting a preliminary clay maquette of a horse and rider. The model shows a rider in a broad‑brimmed hat grasping the reins, while the horse rears on its hind legs, emphasizing dynamic motion. The image is mounted on a green card and forms part of a larger archival collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sculptural study captures a dramatic equestrian scene, focusing on the tension between the powerful, rearing horse and the poised rider. The unfinished surface of the clay highlights the artist’s interest in form and movement rather than surface detail, inviting viewers to imagine the final work in a more refined material.
Technique & Style
The photograph records a rough clay model, preserving the tactile texture of the material. The composition centers on the dramatic pose, using a simple wooden or stone base to support the figure. The image’s stark contrast underscores the sculptor’s emphasis on volume and kinetic energy in the early modeling stage.
History & Provenance
The photograph entered the Archive of Art and Design through the 1938 bequest of William Kineton Parkes, a scholar noted for his research on sculpture. In the 1920s Parkes circulated questionnaires to practicing sculptors, and this image is one of the responses he collected, illustrating contemporary sculptural practice.
Context
Parkes’s questionnaire project aimed to document current sculptural methods and concerns, providing a snapshot of artistic processes in the interwar period. The inclusion of this clay maquette reflects the period’s interest in studying form through preliminary models before committing to final materials such as bronze or stone.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ladislav Saloun was a bit of a mystery, even to those who knew him. He had a knack for capturing quiet moments. Check out his "Untitled" photograph to see how he used light and shadow to tell a story. You can explore…
