[title not known]

[title not known] by Lionel Wendt

Lionel Wendt, c.1933–6

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About this artwork

This is the 'Title not known' by Lionel Wendt, a Sri Lankan photographer active in the 1930s. The work is a gelatin silver print, capturing a quiet portrait of a man dressed in a simple scarf, set against an interior backdrop. The image is fairly intimate – the subject’s face is turned slightly, hinting at introspection, while a small floral detail adds a touch of softness. Wendt’s technique, typical of his time, uses high‑contrast silver halide to give the paper a subtle, almost monochrome depth. Created around 1933–34, this photograph reflects the cultural milieu of colonial Ceylon and the way everyday life was documented through the lens. The piece was added to the collection in 2013 with funding from the South Asia Acquisitions Committee.

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[title not known] is in the collection of Tate Modern on Bankside, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.

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