Statues - Hither & Thither

 

Description

Sculpture of crowned woman sitting on a large throne holding a youn boy in front of her. At her sides sit two crowned women. The symbolism of this group is explained by Gilbert in an exegesis he prepared for the Committee in 1927, where he wrote that it

represents "Love Enthroned", supported by Faith and Hope, on either side, and Love is directing a Boy sent out across the "River of Life", which springs from beneath Her Throne - symbolizing Queen Alexandra's charity to Children, also the water typifies Her advent to Great Britain from across the water.

Sir John Foster Fraser wrote a report on the unveiling (Aberdeen Press and Journal, Thursday 09 June 1932):

The first look of the memorial brought a feeling of disappointment. Inspected from across the road it was heavy and dark and confused, suggesting one of the great bronze doors to an Italian cathedral, except that there were heavy lanterns on either side and below it was the gentle trickle of water. It was a close-up view that showed the symbolism of the design and the beauty of the workmanship. Beneath a Byzantine cross is a sad but lovely-faced woman saint holding to her a suffering child, while crouching, touching the hem of her garment, are two other figures acknowledging love and charity. So the characteristics of Queen Alexandra are immortalised.

Inscription(s)

Since the Old English font in capitals is hard to read (just as on the monument) follows here te text in normal font:

Signature

Sculptor

• Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854 - 1934), English sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

• Andrew Kershman, London's Monuments (London: Metro Publ., 2013), p. 107.
• John Blackwood, London's Immortals: The Complete Outdoor Commemorative Statues (London: Savoy, 1989), p. 74-75. (Speaks of a young girl instead of a boy).
• Wikipedia, Queen Alexandra Memorial.

Tags

Locatie (N 51°30'16" - W 0°8'12") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

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