Statues - Hither & Thither

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William Shakespeare Fountain

Stratford-upon-Avon 1564 - id. 1616
English poet and playwright
(Wikipedia)

Giovanni Fontana & Peter Scheemakers (Jr.)
1874

Description

Marble fountain, with Shakespeare on top, a copy by Fontana of the statue in Westminster Abbey, designed by the architect William Kent, and sculpted by the sculptor Peter Scheemakers. Shakespear leans on a pedestal with books and points to a scroll with the text there is no darkness but ignorance.

Inscription(s)

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

this enclosure
was purchased, laid out
and decorated as a garden
by ALBERT GRANT ESQRE M.P.
and
conveyed by him on the 2nd july 1874.
to the
metropolitan board of works
to be preserved for ever
for the free use and enjoyment
of the public.

London - William Shakespeare Fountain

Sculptors

Giovanni Fontana (Italy c. 1821 - England 1893),
Italian-British sculptor (Mapping of Sculpture).
Peter Scheemakers or Pieter Scheemaeckers II or the Younger (Antwerpen 1691 - Antwerpen 1781), Flemish-English sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, List of public art in the City of Westminster.
Bob Speel, London sculpture.
Wikipedia, Memorials to William Shakespeare.
George L. Gomme, Return of outdoor memorials in London (London: City Council, 1910) (through Internet Archive).
John Blackwood, London's Immortals: The Complete Outdoor Commemorative Statues (London: Savoy, 1989), p. 120-121.
Andrew Kershman, London's Monuments (London: Metro Publ., 2013), p. 26.
Peter Matthews, London's Statues and Monuments (Botley: Shire, 2012), p. 98.

Locatie (N 51°30'37" - W 0°7'48") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gblo008; Photograph: 3 August 2014
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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