DOI Heft:
Nr. 219 (June 1911)
DOI Artikel:Salaman, Malcolm C.: Sir Thomas Brock's Queen Victoria memorial
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20973#0049
The Queen Victoria Memorial
IR THOMAS BROCK'S QUEEN
VICTORIA MEMORIAL. BY
MALCOLM C. SALAMAN.
At last we may congratulate ourselves that we
have, in the centre of London town, a sculptural
monument of supreme importance which British art
may claim with pride. The Memorial to Queen
Victoria, which, as far as it is completed, King
George, in becoming state, unveiled last month, is a
work which in its unity, dignity, and nobility of con-
ception, its large simplicity and harmonious beauty of
design, and its accordance with the great vital ideals
of sculpture in the true structural expressiveness
and the broad live modelling of natural form, is
in every way worthy of its purpose as a national
and imperial tribute. Moreover, it is noteworthy
that, in its architectural as well as its sculptural
features, and even to the designing and modelling
of the beautiful bronze lamp-posts, with their naval
symbolism, that surround it, this is entirely the
invention and work of one man. And surely it is
the biggest thing yet accomplished by an English
sculptor, not unworthy of comparison with the
famous monumental works of Continental masters,
while possessing a distinctively British character of
its own. Certainly Thomas Brock, R.A., has, by
the splendid result of his nine years' labour, fully
justified the wise discrimination of the Memorial
Executive Committee in entrusting to him alone
the entire conception and execution of this monu-
ment, a work calling not only for high artistic
qualities and virile craftsmanship, but for strength of
character, tenacity of purpose, and unfailing energy
and resource. Equally happy has proved the selec-
tion of Sir Aston Webb to provide a suitable setting
for Brock's monument in the reconstruction and
architectural adorning of the Mall, as part of the
great Memorial scheme; for no two artists could
have worked together to more harmonious result.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE MEMORIAL FROM THE SOUTH-EAST DESIGNED BY SIR THOMAS BROCK, K.C.B., R.A.
( Copyright Photo, Herbert A oester)
29
IR THOMAS BROCK'S QUEEN
VICTORIA MEMORIAL. BY
MALCOLM C. SALAMAN.
At last we may congratulate ourselves that we
have, in the centre of London town, a sculptural
monument of supreme importance which British art
may claim with pride. The Memorial to Queen
Victoria, which, as far as it is completed, King
George, in becoming state, unveiled last month, is a
work which in its unity, dignity, and nobility of con-
ception, its large simplicity and harmonious beauty of
design, and its accordance with the great vital ideals
of sculpture in the true structural expressiveness
and the broad live modelling of natural form, is
in every way worthy of its purpose as a national
and imperial tribute. Moreover, it is noteworthy
that, in its architectural as well as its sculptural
features, and even to the designing and modelling
of the beautiful bronze lamp-posts, with their naval
symbolism, that surround it, this is entirely the
invention and work of one man. And surely it is
the biggest thing yet accomplished by an English
sculptor, not unworthy of comparison with the
famous monumental works of Continental masters,
while possessing a distinctively British character of
its own. Certainly Thomas Brock, R.A., has, by
the splendid result of his nine years' labour, fully
justified the wise discrimination of the Memorial
Executive Committee in entrusting to him alone
the entire conception and execution of this monu-
ment, a work calling not only for high artistic
qualities and virile craftsmanship, but for strength of
character, tenacity of purpose, and unfailing energy
and resource. Equally happy has proved the selec-
tion of Sir Aston Webb to provide a suitable setting
for Brock's monument in the reconstruction and
architectural adorning of the Mall, as part of the
great Memorial scheme; for no two artists could
have worked together to more harmonious result.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE MEMORIAL FROM THE SOUTH-EAST DESIGNED BY SIR THOMAS BROCK, K.C.B., R.A.
( Copyright Photo, Herbert A oester)
29