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Prince Albert used photography to document exhibitions and works of art

Francis Bedford (1815-94)

Works of Art Exhibited at Marlborough House, 1854: Fictile Ivory. Virgin and Child 1854

Albumen print | 17.7 x 11.2 cm (image) | RCIN 2800217

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Photograph of a full length statue of the Virgin Mary, standing and holding the infant Christ in her raised left arm, at shoulder height. She holds an object, possibly a book, in her left hand. The Virgin Mary's right hand is missing. The Virgin Mary looks towards her child. The Christ child looks at the object she holds.

As indicated by the title, the sculpture is made of fictile ivory. Fictile ivories are casts of objects made from ivory. The casts are usually made from Plaster of Paris. Fictile means something that can be, or is, moulded, and is pliable or flexible.
  • Creator(s)

    View person page

    Francis Bedford (1815-94) (photographer)

    Subject(s)
    Blessed Virgin Mary
    Jesus Christ
    Blessed Virgin Mary
  • 17.7 x 11.2 cm (image)

  • 'Fictile Ivory. Virgin and Child'

  • Commissioned by Henry Cole. Later acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
    Subject(s)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • England
            • Greater London [England]
              • London [Greater London]
                • City of Westminster
                  • Marlborough House [London]
    • Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
      • Plastic arts
        • Sculpture
    • Religion & Theology
      • Religions and faiths
        • Christianity
          • Devotional Images of Christ
            • Virgin & Child
    • Organisation
      • Documentation
        • Books