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Kensington Gardens (W2)

Physical Energy

George Frederic Watts
1907

Description

Bronze statue of a horseman.

Information Sign

George Frederic Watts OM, RA (1817-1904)
Physical Energy, 1882-1904
Bronze cast for Kensington Gardens,
where it was placed in September 1907

'Physical Energy' is G F Watts's sculptural masterpiece;
a universal embodiment of the dynamic force of ambition.
The artist himself described it as, 'a symbol of that restless
Physical impulse to seek the still unachieved in the domain
of material things'. Three bronzes were cast of this sculpture,
of which this is the second, the other two are in
South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The full size model for this sculpture is on display at
Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey.

This centenary plaque was unveiled by
HRH the Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
on 7th September, 2007.

Signature

PHYSICAL ENERGY | by G.F. WATTS OM RA

Sculptor

George Frederic Watts

Annotation

Developed by Watts from his equestrian bronze Hugh Lupus (1870-84) for the Duke of Westminster. Installed 24 September 1907.

London - Physical Energy

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, List of public art in the City of Westminster.
Bob Speel, London sculpture.
Andrew Kershman, London's Monuments (London: Metro Publ., 2013), p. 298.
Kees van Tilburg, From Marcus Aurelius to Kim Jong-il: The story of equestrian statues throughout the ages (Amstelveen, 2017). – see also the Equestrian statue website.

Location (N 51°30'24" - W 0°10'41")

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Item Code: gblo103; Photograph: 6 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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