The Great Exhibition, 1851: Achilles wounded by Fraccaroli

Photograph of a marble statue of Achilles represented nude, except for a fig leaf, sandals and a helmet. He stands, leaning on a pillar with his right hand supporting him. He looks down at his left heel wounded by an arrow. The outline of the arrow can just be seen in this photograph. A jug and a bowl lie between his feet. The sculpture is by Innocenzo Fraccaroli (1805-82) and was exhibited at the Great Exhibition.

This photograph is from Volume IV (RCIN 2800003) of ' Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851: Reports by the Juries on the Subjects in the Thirty Classes into which the Exhibition was Divided'. The incredibly successful Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, commonly known as the Great Exhibition, ran from May to October 1851. At the exhibition's conclusion, over 100 copies of the four volume 'Reports by the Juries' were distributed to foreign governments and notable participants. The reports consist of the juries' comments and assessments of the works displayed in the exhibition. The idea and decision to illustrate the reports with photographs is attributed to Prince Albert (1819-61).