Open full image Pin

Sculptures - Marble Seat of S. Gregory in the Church of S. Stefano Rotondo, with Shallow Carving, c. A.D. 590.

John Henry Parker

1866

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Sculptures - Marble Seat of S. Gregory in the Church of S. Stefano Rotondo, with Shallow Carving, c. A.D. 590. is a 1866 photographic by John Henry Parker, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: John Henry Parker
When & what style?: 1866 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This photo shows a simple room with a worn, plain wall and floor. On a small pedestal sits a chunky marble piece—part of a broken column or seat. The top has fancy swirls carved into it, and a small dog is curled up underneath, looking relaxed. This is a real ancient object, not a painting. The photo was taken in the 1860s by someone documenting old churches. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more photos like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The marble seat of S. Gregory in the Church of S. Stefano Rotondo in Rome features shallow carving and dates to around A.D. 590. The photograph is part of a series of over 3,300 images documenting Rome’s principal monuments, artworks, and artefacts from antiquity to the 1600s. Taken between 1864 and 1879 under John Henry Parker’s direction, the project involved local photographers and was later published in his *Archaeology of Rome* (1874–1879). The Victoria and Albert Museum holds a significant collection of these photographs created before 1870.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

John Henry Parker

John Henry Parker liked to explore old churches in Rome. He'd photograph the sculptures and carvings he found. One thing that stands out is his attention to detail - he'd capture tiny parts of bigger pieces, like the…

See the richer artist page