Fate-Led

'Fate-Led' was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1892 with the following lines: 'Fate leading, she must needs go on and on Blindly, yet fearing not, till the goal be won.' The work made a considerable impact when first exhibited through its enigmatic subject-matter, disturbing imagery and naturalistic handling. Albert Toft trained as a potter at Wedgwood and studied sculpture at the National Art Training School in London under Edouard Lanteri. His broad, soft modelling style displays the latter's influence along with the symbolist preoccupations of Alfred Gilbert.