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Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
These are the great statues to inspire the late Queen's memorial
Why, since antiquity, has the image of a figure on horseback symbolised power? The answer's simple: this stirring sight suggests wealth and status, as well as military prowess, and at once conveys an individual's smooth, skilful ability to control a potentially unruly mount – and, by extension, populace. It implies poise and self-command, and hints at man's domination over the natural world, all of which explains why free-standing equestrian monuments commemorating illustrious leaders have long been an exalted artistic genre. But they're also among the toughest sculptures to pull off. Convincingly representing a horse and rider isn't easy. Should the mount appear to be standing still, walking or trotting, or – for maximum drama – rearing? What about the sculpture's weight – how should that be distributed? And what should the figure be doing with their arms, so that they appear simultaneously dignified and dynamic? These questions must all be considered by whoever creates the equestrian monument that will form part of Lord Foster's winning design for a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. Here, to guide the way, we select five of the world's greatest such monuments (which, historically, have mostly depicted men) – as well as one statue, close to home for British readers, which provides a lesson in how not to approach the project. Marcus Aurelius Capitoline Museum, Rome (161-180AD) The daddy of the genre. Although there were once many full-figure equestrian monuments across the Roman world, this stunning gilt-bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius, one of the five so-called 'Good Emperors', dressed in a tunic and military cloak, is one of only two examples to have survived antiquity, and thus, from the Renaissance, proved immensely influential. Note the steed's raised forehoof (did a vanquished barbarian once appear underneath?) – a display of sculptural daring, since the weight is distributed on three legs rather than four – and the victorious emperor's effortlessly commanding gesture, which seems to quell dissent without a weapon. Bartolomeo Colleoni Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Venice (c1479-1492) While the hordes flock to St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, I make a beeline, whenever I'm in Venice, for Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo (or Campo San Zanipolo, as the locals call it) in the sestiere of Castello, to marvel at this masterpiece by the quattrocento Florentine sculptor (and Leonardo da Vinci's teacher) Andrea del Verrocchio: a superb, posthumously cast bronze equestrian statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni, an important condottiere, or military leader, of the Republic of Venice during the 15th century. By imbuing the horse with so much frisky flair, Verrocchio outdid Donatello, whose Gattamelata in Padua, the earliest surviving Renaissance bronze monument, commemorating another condottiere, feels, in comparison, slightly plodding. Peter the Great Senate Square, St Petersburg (1766-1782) Granted, the flamboyant effect of this twice-life-size monument to Peter the Great, aka 'the Bronze Horseman', commissioned by Catherine the Great, and created by the French Rococo sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet – is off the mark when it comes to devising a memorial for Elizabeth II; it's far too absolutist for her gentle public persona, which warrants something more modest and contained. Still, it reveals how dramatic a rearing horse can be, while the upward-sloping plinth – a monolithic 1,600-tonne granite boulder known as the 'Thunder Stone' – demonstrates the attractiveness of a natural base. Richard Coeur de Lion The Palace of Westminster, London (1851-1856) Whenever I cycle past this bronze vision on top of a granite plinth in Old Palace Yard, opposite Westminster Abbey, depicting a straight-backed, proud-faced Richard the Lionheart holding aloft a sword while his steed paws the ground, I am amused and yet my heart is also stirred. Admittedly, although the plaster model for it made the name of the Italian sculptor Carlo Marochetti (1805-67) when it was exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the composition is a little silly – that He-Man physique, apparent beneath the king's chainmail coat, is excessively idealised, while his blade is improbably long. But there's something thrilling about the confidence the ensemble projects. Physical Energy Various locations, including London, South Africa and Zimbabwe (Early 1880s-1904) Will the monument to Elizabeth II look anything like this surging, powerful bronze by the Victorian artist GF Watts, of which several full-size casts exist, including the example in London's Kensington Gardens? I doubt it – not least because Her Late Majesty will, I hope, be represented fully clothed. But Watts's sculpture – on which he worked until the end of his life, inspired by a commission, in 1870, to depict an aristocrat's ancestor as a hunter on horseback – reminds us that equestrian monuments should never be overly stately or static. And one to avoid… Charles I Trafalgar Square, London (c. 1630-33) It's ironic that England's most aesthetic monarch, King Charles I – who amassed a world-class art collection, and persuaded the Flemish genius Anthony van Dyck to be his 'Principalle Paynter' – was so poorly commemorated in this stilted, unimaginative piece by the fusty French sculptor Hubert Le Sueur (who conceitedly signed himself 'Praxiteles', after the celebrated 4th-century-BC Athenian sculptor). The problem with London's oldest bronze statue, which occupies a prominent site at Trafalgar Square? The bizarrely inflated appearance of its modelling, which gives both monarch and mount a pneumatic quality, as if the work were a 17th-century version of that infamous baby balloon of Donald Trump.
Sky News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Glass bridge inspired by Queen Elizabeth II's wedding tiara among plans for national memorial
An architect who once criticised the King has won the bid to design a memorial in honour of his late mother Queen Elizabeth II. Lord Norman Foster will oversee the replacement of the current bridge in St James's Park with a "very light touch" glass one, inspired by the tiara the Queen wore on her wedding day. He will also transform the wider park with a statue of the Queen in a new space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate, a new Prince Philip Gate on the other side at Birdcage Walk, complete with a statue of the late Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen together, and a "family of gardens" around the new bridge. Lord Foster, known for designing The Gherkin, accused King Charles of using his "privileged position" to intervene in the plans for the former Chelsea Barracks in 2009. The then Prince of Wales, a fan of more traditional architecture, allegedly wrote to the Qatari developers requesting more classical plans be considered over those submitted by Lord Foster. But in an interview with on Monday, the architect said the pair are now "totally aligned". He insisted his previous "minor differences" with the King were in the past and "absolutely insignificant" as part of the bigger picture. Bridge to reflect Queen's 'unifying nature' The translucent "unity" bridge will represent the late monarch's ability to bring nations, communities, and the Commonwealth together. "The Queen encompassed, historically, periods of significant change, socially and technologically, but it was all very much with a light touch, and that light touch, the feeling should be that if you visit St James's Park and the site in question later, it will still feel very familiar," Lord Foster told the Press Association. It will be wider than the current stone bridge, allowing more visitors to enjoy the surrounding gardens, he added. "It will feel better. It won't be so crowded, although this number of people will be going through it, and the experience will be heightened, but it won't be 'Oh, my god, they've destroyed the tradition of this park'." Described by the designer as "jewel-like", the bridge's cast-glass balustrades will be inspired by the Queen Mary Fringe diamond tiara the then Princess Elizabeth wore on her wedding day to Prince Philip in 1947. The antique metal frame famously snapped as she was getting ready that morning and had to be rushed to the jewellers Garrard to be fixed before the ceremony. It was of great sentimental value to the Queen, who loaned it to her granddaughter Princess Beatrice to wear on her wedding day in 2020. Lord Foster plans for the bridge to be illuminated at night and be floated down the River Thames before being installed seamlessly overnight - without the need for heavy building work. The overall plans for the bridge, statues and gardens reflect the late monarch's "formal and informal" sides, he said. Lord Foster, who was appointed to the Order of Merit by the Queen in 1997 for his services to architecture, said: "Like many, I knew the Queen through formal occasions, but there was this very special relationship between Her Majesty and those of us who were members of the Order of Merit. "So we were privileged to see perhaps a more informal aspect of Her Majesty and in many ways that is mirrored in our design. "It is in some ways formal in its relationship to The Mall and informal in the gardens, and the perhaps breaking down those barriers in terms of narrative storytelling." Statue of couple to convey their 'inseparability' On his decision to include the late duke in his vision for the memorial, he said: "We showed them together and, in a way, there was this inseparable quality which we sought to convey." The Queen's former private secretary Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee responsible for awarding the commission for the bridge, hailed the design's "sensitivity". He suggested the Queen would have particularly liked the representation of her tiara. "Her Majesty would undoubtedly have liked the location and I think she would have picked up that echo of the tiara in the bridge," Lord Janvrin said. "I think the planting would have been of huge interest to her and the contrast between formal and informal - and the Commonwealth area would have resonated with her." He said it was fitting that someone who knew the Queen had been chosen to design the national memorial to her. "She knew him personally and made him a member of the Order of Merit, which is a personal gift way back in the late 1990s," he said. "So, in a way, I think the fact that he has been this hugely important figure during her reign is deeply appropriate to end up with this extraordinarily important assignment at this stage." He added that it "wouldn't have surprised him" if the King had already seen the design. The final plan will be unveiled in 2026 - the late Queen's 100th birthday year. Next, a sculptor will be appointed for the two statues. There are also plans for potential audio installations of the Queen's voice. Foster + Partners won the competition after being selected by the memorial committee from five shortlisted designs, with feedback taken from a public vote, as well as stakeholders and cultural experts. The winning team also includes artist Yinka Shonibare, ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett, who was behind the Superbloom planting scheme in the Tower of London's moat to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, and landscape architect Michel Desvigne Paysagiste.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Plans for Queen Elizabeth's memorial unveiled – with bridge inspired by her tiara & touching nod to Prince Philip
RENOWNED architect Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. He will transform St James's Park, outside Buckingham Palace, with the tribute, which will include a statue of her at Marlborough Gate. 7 7 7 7 An early artist's impression shows her on horseback, but it is not known if it will make the final designs, due next year. There will also be a statue of the late Duke of Edinburgh on the other side of the park and a glass Unity Bridge inspired by Queen Elizabeth's wedding day tiara. A 'family of gardens' and a contemporary wind sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare are included in Lord Foster's plan. He described it as an honour to be awarded the project. Lord Foster, who was the brains behind The Gherkin, the renovated Reichstag in Berlin, and Swindon's Renault distribution centre, beat four other shortlisted designs. The world famous architect said his tiara-style bridge was symbolic of the Queen as a "unifying force". He said: "I knew the Queen on formal occasions but also enjoyed her informality when attending events as a member of the Order of Merit. "We have sought to reflect these qualities of the formal and informal in our design, with an appeal across a wide range of ages and interests. "To these ends, we have discreetly stretched the boundaries of art and technology with a deliberately gentle intervention. "Our design will have the minimum impact on the nature and biodiversity of the park and it will be phased to ensure that the precious route across it will never be closed. "At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces." There will now be talks with potential sculptors to create two new statues for the national memorial. It is expected to be finished and unveiled in 2026 when the late Queen would have turned 100-years-old. 7 7 7
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Plans for Queen Elizabeth's memorial unveiled – with bridge inspired by her tiara & touching nod to Prince Philip
RENOWNED architect Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. He will transform St James's Park, outside Buckingham Palace, with the tribute, which will include a statue of her at Marlborough Gate. Advertisement 7 An early artist's impression of the memorial shows the late Queen on horseback Credit: PA 7 Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II Credit: PA 7 The glass Unity Bridge inspired by Queen Elizabeth's wedding day tiara Credit: PA 7 Lord Foster described it as an honour to be awarded the project Credit: Getty An early artist's impression shows her on horseback, but it is not known if it will make the final designs, due next year. There will also be a statue of the late Duke of Edinburgh on the other side of the park and a glass Unity Bridge inspired by Queen Elizabeth's wedding day tiara. A 'family of gardens' and a contemporary wind sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare are included in Lord Foster's plan. He described it as an honour to be awarded the project. Advertisement Read more in Royals Lord Foster, who was the brains behind The Gherkin, the renovated Reichstag in Berlin, and Swindon's Renault distribution centre, beat four other shortlisted designs. The world famous architect said his tiara-style bridge was symbolic of the Queen as a "unifying force". He said: "I knew the Queen on formal occasions but also enjoyed her informality when attending events as a member of the Order of Merit. "We have sought to reflect these qualities of the formal and informal in our design, with an appeal across a wide range of ages and interests. Advertisement Most read in Royals Latest "To these ends, we have discreetly stretched the boundaries of art and technology with a deliberately gentle intervention. "Our design will have the minimum impact on the nature and biodiversity of the park and it will be phased to ensure that the precious route across it will never be closed. "At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces." There will now be talks with potential sculptors to create two new statues for the national memorial. Advertisement It is expected to be finished and unveiled in 2026 when the late Queen would have turned 100-years-old. 7 Plans for the transformation of St James's Park Credit: PA 7 A contemporary wind sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare is included in the plans Credit: PA 7 Members of the public will be able to enjoy the gardens Credit: PA Advertisement
The Independent
24-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Inside plans for national memorial to Queen Elizabeth
Renowned architect Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, a project set to transform St James's Park. The memorial will feature a statue of the Queen at a new Queen Elizabeth II Place, a Prince Philip Gate with a statue of Philip, and a 'family of gardens'. A central element is a translucent, glass unity bridge inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, symbolising her as a unifying force. Lord Foster described his 'light touch' design as aiming to enhance the park while preserving its familiar feel, with completion expected by 2026. The winning design was selected by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, and Lord Foster stated that any past disagreements with the King are now insignificant.
