Captain Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver was an English Naval officer, best known for his 1791–95 expedition to explore and chart North America's northwestern Pacific Coast. He was born in 1757 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, and his statue stands proudly in front of the old Customs House in the town. He's holding a spyglass in his hand to watch out for new horizons.
Sir John Betjeman
John Betjeman was a poet, and for many years was the UK's Poet Laureate. This statue of him stands on the upper deck at St Pancras Station in London. Betjeman was one of the driving forces behind a campaign to save the station when developers wanted to pull it down in the 1960s.
Patrick Lichfield
As you can see this sculpture is all about the hands. It stands on a desk in the former private apartment of Shugborough in Staffordshire, the ancestral home of Patrick, Earl of Lichfield. He was a well known society photographer and cousin of the Queen. His house was handed over to the National Trust in lieu of death duties after fate killed off both his father and his grandfather within a very short time. He was allowed to stay there in a rather luxurious apartment, which is now part of the house tour.
Constantine the Great
A seated figure of Emperor Constantine the Great reclines outside York Minster. It commemorates the fact that he was the first christian Roman emperor. He was proclaimed emperor at York just a few yards from where the sculpture now stands (on a spot that's now under the Minster building.)
The sculpture is by Philip Jackson, whose work I admire greatly. I realise that this portion doesn't give you much to go on, but trust me, it really sums up the incredible imperial arrogance that the rest of the work illustrates.
James Brindley
James Brindley was one of the foremost canal engineers of the eighteenth century. He was responsible for the first canal in Birmingham, which eventually led to the development of the complex network that criss-crosses the UK today. A statue of him stands at the terminal of the Coventry Canal, just off the modern-day ring road. It's a life-size bronze by Colin Melbourne and I love this little detail of the lacy cuff of his shirt.
So now there's just one last thing for you to do. Go visit Amy by clicking on the pic below, and see what everyone else has to offer this week.
As former York residents, we always thought that Constantine should have a cigarette in his hand.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteJames Brindley with his lacy cuff <3 Great photos & interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI always think that hands can say so much about the person that owns them and the sculpters in all these have captured that essence so well. I particularly like James Brindley's hand as it looks so solid and reliable with its wrinkled knuckles and strong nails and I love the lacy cuff:)
ReplyDeleteI had never really given much thought to hands on a sculpture before, but actually now that you have drawn my attention to them they are indeed quite fascinating and as Rosie said can say so much about a person. A great five, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Hands are indeed expressive... those of Patrick Lichfield even too much so. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved the numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5.
What a fabulous oust and a great thing to photograph. Loved the detail to go with each picture. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures!! Fascinating to see them and read more about the different people. I especially like the Patrick Lichfield one. Thank you for joining Five On Friday again this week, I do so appreciate it and enjoy reading your posts. Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWow, I so enjoyed reading this post about these historical figures and stunning sculptures of them. Being from Washington state in the Pacific Northwest, I'm familiar with Capt. Vancouver and Vancouver Island and Vancouver, British Columbia. It's probably the most beautiful area of Canada with lots of history, too. And, Constantine the Great is well known to the Orthodox community. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a kind message. I always enjoy visiting your blog; it's a joy. Enjoy your weekend, Pat xx
ReplyDeleteSmashing! Apart from number five, I'm excited to say I've visited all the others! Philip Jackson is awfully good. :-)
ReplyDeleteHands are so expressive. What a great idea for a post. I particularly liked James Brindley. Such detail in that lacy cuff. B x
ReplyDeleteWow, what an interesting post, you're right, the hands are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a famous collection of hand-artworks!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice sunday (I'm late this one)
I love the Patrick Litchfield hand with the camera, it almost feels as though he was taking a photo.
ReplyDeleteAngela - Garden Tea Cakes and Me
Now this was different. I'll pay more attention to hands and hands in sculpture more often!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. How amazing are the sculptors who can create such wonderful pieces.
ReplyDeleteLove this five - great pics and great info! :)
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