The Messenger, Bronze equestrian statue outside Quadrant House in Sutton, United Kingdom
The Messenger is a life-sized bronze statue located outside Quadrant House in Sutton, depicting a young nude rider on horseback with one arm raised and the other hand near his mouth. The figure rests on a seven-foot marble and granite base, resulting in a combined height of approximately 150 inches (3.8 meters).
The work was created by sculptor David Wynne and installed in 1981 following four years of careful development. Business Press International Ltd commissioned the sculpture as a statement in contemporary figurative art.
The work represents communication through the image of a messenger calling out while mounted on a spirited, unbridled horse. This pairing of human voice and animal strength creates a visual symbol of message-carrying.
The statue sits directly beside Sutton railway station, making it very easy to reach on foot. There is plenty of space around the sculpture for viewing and photography, even though the surrounding area can get busy.
The sculptor visited major equestrian monuments in Italy, including the Marcus Aurelius statue in Rome, before creating this modern interpretation. This research journey shaped his approach to depicting the bond between rider and animal.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.