Statue of William Shakespeare, Marble statue in Leicester Square, England
The Statue of William Shakespeare is a marble figure positioned at the heart of Leicester Square Gardens, set within a fountain basin with dolphin ornaments surrounding its base. The work stands on a pedestal decorated with sculptural details overlooking the busy square.
Giovanni Fontana created this marble sculpture in 1874, drawing inspiration from Peter Scheemakers' original memorial located in Westminster Abbey. This version relocated the tribute to a thriving public square rather than keeping it within a church setting.
The marble figure holds a scroll inscribed with words from Twelfth Night, making the writer's own language visible to anyone passing through the square. This detail brings the playwright directly into view rather than simply honoring his memory.
The monument sits at the center of Leicester Square and is easy to locate among the surrounding theaters and entertainment venues. The square itself is pedestrian-friendly and freely accessible, making it simple to approach and view from all angles throughout the day.
The pedestal features four busts depicting Hogarth, Hunter, Newton, and Reynolds, representing figures from art, medicine, science, and painting respectively. This grouping shows how the sculptor embedded the memorial within a broader celebration of English achievement across multiple fields.
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