Untitled by Ernest Cole, sculptor; stone carvers, Joseph and Peter Induni. 1915-21. Portland stone. Location: former London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1, designed by Ralph Knott. [Click on this image and the one that follows to enlarge them.]

The sculptor does not make clear why these two figures should do strain their heavily muscled bodies in holding up this little swag, or why they should grasp their heads in such apparent agony. Cole's fascination with musculature and extremes has taken over whatever significance these figures were supposed to convey.

Photographs and caption by Robert Freidus. Formatting and perspective correction by George P. Landow. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]

Bibliography

Cavanagh, Terry. Public Sculpture of the South London. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2007.


Last modified 16 August 2011