Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a photographic photography by Jacobs van den Hof. 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 small bronze cat sculpture posed on a short, thick pedestal. The image is part of a collection bequeathed by William Kineton Parkes in 1938, now archived in the Archive of Art and Design.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph's subject is a serene bronze cat sculpture, characterized by its upright posture, curled tail, and calm demeanor, evoking a sense of poised stillness.
Technique & Style
The sculpture itself features simple, clean lines and a shiny surface, suggesting a focus on smooth, rounded forms. The solid, rounded pedestal complements the cat's sturdy appearance.
History & Provenance
Acquired as part of William Kineton Parkes' collection, this photograph was one of many responses to questionnaires distributed to sculptors in the 1920s by Parkes, a writer on sculpture.
Context
While the sculpture's creator is not specified, its style and the context of Parkes' questionnaire suggest it aligns with early 20th-century sculptural practices, potentially reflecting the era's artistic inclinations towards simplicity and form.
Legacy
The photograph, as part of the Archive of Art and Design, contributes to the historical record of early 20th-century sculpture, offering insight into the period's artistic exchange and documentation practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacobs van den Hof spent years photographing the same canal in Amsterdam, shooting it in every season and every hour.
