The Great Exhibition, 1851: Ishmael by Strazza

Photograph of a marble sculpture depicting the biblical figure of Ishmael. He is represented as young naked boy lying on a cloth on the ground, expiring of thirst. His body is supported at the head and his left hand touches his chest while his right arm is limp on the ground. The sculpture is by Giovanni Strazza (1815-78) 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).