Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Unknown. It dates from 1931 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The image is a black‑and‑white photograph capturing a carved stone figure of a mounted rider.
About this work
Overview
The image is a black‑and‑white photograph capturing a carved stone figure of a mounted rider. The sculpture presents a horse with its head turned to the right, while the rider, helmeted and armed with a bow, sits upright. Set against an unadorned backdrop, the composition emphasizes the stark lines and form of the stone work.
Subject & Meaning
The piece depicts a horseman, a motif common in ancient Persian visual culture, symbolizing martial prowess and aristocratic status. The presence of a bow and helmet suggests a warrior identity, while the stylized treatment of the animal and rider reflects the aesthetic conventions of the period from which the original model derives.
Technique & Style
Carved from a single block of stone, the sculpture relies on relief carving to define the rider and horse in low to moderate depth. The photograph’s monochrome rendering highlights the texture of the stone surface, the crisp outlines of the figure, and the subtle play of light across the carved planes.
History & Provenance
The stone sculpture was displayed at the 1931 Exhibition of Persian Art held by the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The photograph documenting the work originates from that exhibition, providing a visual record of the piece as it appeared in the early twentieth‑century showcase of Persian artistic heritage.
Artist & collection
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Untitled
Untitled
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