Statues - Hither & Thither |
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Liverpool
Merseyside North West England Ranelagh Street / Lime Street (L1)
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Liverpool Resurgent |
Jacob Epstein
Singer / Morris Singer / William Morris (London) 1956 |
Sculpture of a large naked male figure standing on a ship's prow emerging from the building. It symbolises 'the struggle and determination of Liverpool to rehabilitate itself after the grim, destructive blitz years' and to mark the centenary of Lewis's store group. The sculpture is unveiled by F.J. Marquis, First Baron Woolton, President of Lewis's Investment Trust, on 20 November 1956.
The Liverpool Echo's report on the unveiling is (20 November 1956):
Liverpool had a notable art occasion to-day. Lord Woolton unveiled, on the facade of Lewis's store, Sir Jacob Epstein's long-awaited statue of the city's resurgence from the blitz.
The statue, secretly shrouded since it was brought to the site three weeks ago, stands above the entrance to the store at the junction of Ranelagh and Renshaw Streets. It is one of the most commanding positions in the city centre.
There was a hush when Lord Woolton pulled the cord that tore the covering from the figure, followed by a murmur of approval, punctuated by a few gasps at the uncompromising masculinity of the 18ft high figure of a youth, poised nude on the prow of a ship.
The total height of the work is 27 feet and it weighs two tons.
Major Work
The youth, arms outstretched, is straining upwards. "The theme is Liverpool resurgent." Sir Jacob told the Echo after the unveiling. "But if you want another title for the work I think it could be 'Adventurous Youth'.
I count this one of my major works and I am extremely proud of this fine commanding position it has been given in the centre of the city."
Sir Jacob who stood beside Lord Woolton during the ceremony worked for two years on the bronze figure and also on the three six-feet square panels in ciment fondu above the doors of the store, which were also unveiled to-day. The panels are of children – children at play, a child in a perambulator – children in the typical Epstein fashion. (see here).
The unveiling was preceded by a fanfare from trumpeters of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
With Lord Woolton, who is president of Lewis's Investment Trust, was Mr H.S. Leake, chairman of Lewis's Ltd and Mr. G. Breeze, a director of the firm.
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