Blind Beggar and His Dog, Bronze sculpture in Cranbrook Estate, United Kingdom
Blind Beggar and His Dog is a bronze sculpture showing two elongated figures: a blind beggar with an outstretched arm and his dog leading him, standing about eight feet tall on concrete steps. The forms are stylized and emphasize the physical connection between the two figures through their aligned positions.
The work was created in 1958 by artist Elisabeth Frink and initially stood on Roman Road before being relocated to Tate Garden in Cranbrook Estate in 1963. This move was part of urban development that reshaped the public space.
The work depicts two figures from a local story about a blind man guided by his dog through Bethnal Green, reflecting a relationship of trust and dependence. This narrative captures a moment of human vulnerability and animal companionship that speaks to people who pass through.
The sculpture sits within an enclosed garden inside the Tate House residential development and is visible from outside when visiting the grounds. The best way to view it is to find the gate of Cranbrook Estate and ask about access to the garden.
The work was commissioned by Bethnal Green Metropolitan Borough when Frink was just 27 years old and at the start of her public art career. This made her the youngest artist chosen for such a significant public commission in the area.
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