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Equestrian statue of George IV, Trafalgar Square

Coordinates: 51°30′30″N 0°07′39″W / 51.50838°N 0.12759°W / 51.50838; -0.12759
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George IV
A close up of the statue on top of the plinth
The statue in 2013
Map
ArtistSir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
Year1843 (unveiled)
TypeEquestrian statue
MediumBronze
LocationTrafalgar Square, London WC2
Coordinates51°30′30″N 0°07′39″W / 51.50838°N 0.12759°W / 51.50838; -0.12759
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameStatue of George IV
Designated5 February 1970
Reference no.1275350[1]

The statue of George IV in Trafalgar Square, London, is a bronze equestrian statue by Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey. It depicts the King dressed in ancient Roman attire and riding bareback.[2] The sculpture was originally designed to sit on top of the Marble Arch at the entrance to Buckingham Palace, but was placed in its current location following the King's death.

History

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Model of John Nash's original design for Marble Arch, featuring the statue of George IV on top of the arch

Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey originally designed the statue to stand on top of Marble Arch in its original position as the entrance to Buckingham Palace,[2] following architecture work by John Nash. Edward Blore took over the work, and his redesign to reduce costs removed the Chantrey statue.[3] Chantrey's work was funded by George IV himself, rather than by public subscription.[4] The statue was cast in 1828.[5]

George IV died in 1830,[2] and the statue was placed on an empty plinth in Trafalgar Square in December 1843, which was expected to be on a temporary basis, however it has remained there ever since.[2] It was unveiled to little ceremony, with The Times describing it as "somewhat suddenly erected".[6] It was the first statue erected on one of the pedestals, which were installed three years earlier with architect Charles Barry expecting them to be filled by groups of statues.[7] An inscription was added towards the end of the 19th century as the public were no longer aware of whom it portrayed.[2]

The journalist Janice Turner questioned the need for a statue of George IV in Trafalgar Square in 2005; in rebuttal Lord Baker of Dorking argued that the monarch still deserved the statue due to his town planning legacy which remained in London.[8]

In 2012, the milliner Stephen Jones created crowns for both George IV and his horse to be added to the statue as part of the "Hatwalk" art project sponsored by the Mayor of London; in the project 21 milliners created new hats for famous statues around London.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Historic England. "Statue of George IV (1275350)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Famous Royal memorials". The British Monarchy. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  3. ^ Hoock, Holgar (2010). Empires of the Imagination. London: Profile Books. p. 368. ISBN 978-1-86197-859-2.
  4. ^ Whittam Smith, Andreas (23 October 2000). "But will they ever put up a statue of Ken Livingstone?". The Independent. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  5. ^ Sooke, Alistair (7 February 2011). "Britain's Sculpture Room". The Daily Telegraph. ProQuest 849412729. (subscription required)
  6. ^ "Trafalgar Square". The Times. No. 18469. 2 December 1843. p. 5. Retrieved 5 August 2012. (subscription required)
  7. ^ Collings, Matthew (6 December 1998). "Battle of Trafalgar Square". The Observer. ProQuest 250436997. (subscription required)
  8. ^ Baker, Kenneth (24 September 2005). "George IV in his Proper Place". The Times. No. 68501. p. 22. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  9. ^ Sowray, Bibby (30 July 2012). "The 'Hatwalk' comes to town". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
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