As you enter Hyde Park, from the southeast entrance, you are soon confronted by this incredible statue, which towers over onlookers. It is the Wellington Monument and shows Achilles, with sword and shield.
It is a memorial to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, and his victories in the Peninsular War and Napoleonic Wars.
The statue is cast from captured cannon from his victories at Salamanca, Toulouse, Waterloo and Vittoria, and stands at 18 feet (5.5 metres). It was designed by the sculptor Richard Westmacott.
The statue, along with the Dartmoor granite base and the mound on which it stands, makes the entire monument 36 feet (11 metres) in height.
The statue cost £10,000 and was funded by donations from British women.
When it made its way to Hyde Park it was found to be too big to go through the Hyde Park entrance gates, so a hole had to be knocked into the adjoining wall.
The inscription reads:
"To Arthur Duke of Wellington
and his brave companions in arms
this statue of Achilles
cast from cannon taken in the victories
of Salamanca, Vittoria, Toulouse, and Waterloo
is inscribed
by their country women
Placed on this spot
on the XVIII day of June MDCCCXXII
by command of
His Majesty George IIII."
Funded by British women. Now that is interesting. And Achilles shows in what regard he was held. Rather magnificent.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favourite statues, in this particular park, as it is so well detailed.
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