Statues - Hither & Thither

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Archimedes mosaic - Archimedes mosaig

Archimedes receiving emblems of modern science and industry

Charles Voysey
1888

Aberystwyth / Archimedes mosaic - Archimedes mosaig

Description

Mosaic in three panels. The central panel shows a puzzled Archimedes seated with a mathematics book on his lap, with in the background books and a globe (showing America!). The left and right panel show kneeling servants offering him, respectively, a locomotive and a ship (part sail-, part steam-powered). The message is that "applied science must genuflect to pure science"; "free untrammelled enquiry", the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, is what makes technological progress possible.

Annotation

The farthest is a science block, to whose tower Seddon added a mosaic mural by Voysey depicting a puzzled Archimedes being offered a steam engine and a sailing ship.

Sculptor

Charles F.A. Voysey (Yorkshire 1857 - Winchester 1941), English architect and furniture and textile designer (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Visit Aberystwyth, The Old College.
Simon Jenkins, Wales: churches, houses, castles (2008), p. 95.
Sharon Howard, The Old College, Aberystwyth.
An architecural walk around Aberystwyth (PDF on-line).
British Listed Buildings, Listed buildings in Wales.

Locatie (N 52°24'51" - W 4°5'20") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbwa088; Photograph: 27 July 2012
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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