Vintage Victoria. |
Tuesday June 26, 2012.
Considering how many visits I have made to the Unfinished City, there are very few photographs that I have taken of Buckingham Palace or the Victoria Memorial. I have visited the area on numerous occasions, but crowds always obscured, or prevented, me from obtaining the shot I wanted.
However, on this particular afternoon, the crowds were light, so I was able to grab some great shots. I took this shot with a sepia setting, before adding a distressed effect later on.
Brief History
Brief History
It was built as a memorial to Queen Victoria, Britain's second-longest reigning monarch, and took 23 years to complete from its design in 1901, by Sir Thomas Brock, till its completion in 1924.
It was made with 2,300 tons of Pentelic and Carrara marble, with gilt bronze statues. Fountains were also built in to the design, giving it a very nautical feel.
The setting sun reflects on highlights the gilt bronze statue. |
Along with the construction of the Victoria Memorial, The Mall was rerouted to link up with Trafalgar Square, via the newly built Admiralty Arch, while Buckingham Palace was also refaced. All of this was part of the creation of the Queen's Gardens, which incorporates Green Park and St James's Park. The Victoria Memorial becoming the centrepiece of this grand scheme.
The Victoria Memorial sits in the middle of an architectural setting of formal gardens and gates, designed by Sir Aston Webb.
Trivia
- The Victoria Memorial became Grade I Listed, in 1970.
- At 82 feet, the Victoria Memorial is the tallest monument to a King or Queen in England.
- 2,300 tons of marble was used in the construction of the Victoria Memorial.
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