Sculpture of the Day: The Sleep of Sorrow and the Dream of Joy, 1861

The Sleep of Sorrow and the Dream of Joy
Raffaelle Monti
London, 1861
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Since today’s trade card was so glum and sluggish, I thought we’d look at other historically grim and lethargic artwork today. Hooray! It’s a holiday weekend in the U.S.. Let’s look at depressed children. Well, at least this marble sculpture gives us some hope for better times.

The work of Italian-born sculptor Raffaelle Monti (1818-1881), this allegorical figural group was carved in 1861 to be shown in the International Exhibition in London in 1862. The group depicts a veiled figure of the “Dream of Joy” who hovers above the slumbering figure of “Sorrow.” So, Sorrow dreams of Joy? That seems about right. While the allegory is quite clear, the group was also meant to be a metaphor for the political climate at the time in Italy—a hopeful sign of growing cultural unity with the proclamation of a kingdom there on March 17, 1861.

Monti, born in Milan, worked predominantly in London where he enjoyed the patronage of the wealthy English. He’s best known, perhaps, for the enchanting sculptures which he created for the grounds of the Crystal Palace. Later in his life, Monty was employed at the famed Elkington & Co. where he was involved with the production of electrotypes. For Elkington, Monti created the largest known electrotype monument--an equestrian statue of Charles William Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry (1778-1854).

The sculptor’s work was quite beloved by the English. In fact, this sculpture was praised during the International Exhibition of 1862. Afterwards, it’s believed that the figure group was purchased by the chairman of the London Stereoscopic Company. Over the next century, it passed through the collections of many families. Eventually, it came into the hands of Mrs. Sarah Hoda of Essex who lent it to the V&A for an large display of items from the 1862 Exhibition, in celebration of its hundredth anniversary. Hoda sold the group to the V&A in 1964.