The River, Bronze fountain sculpture in Victoria Square, Birmingham, England.
The River is a bronze fountain sculpture in Victoria Square featuring a 2.8-meter-tall female figure reclining in a stone pool with carved sandstone edges. Water flows in layered patterns from the upper basin to the lower pool, creating a complete water feature.
The sculpture won an international design competition led by artist Dhruva Mistry and was inaugurated by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1994. This opening moment marked an important addition to Birmingham's public art landscape.
Inscriptions from T.S. Eliot's poem Burnt Norton circle the upper pool, linking the sculpture's water themes to British literary tradition. Visitors can spot the carved words, which add deeper meaning to the piece.
The sculpture sits on Victoria Square in the city center and is easily accessible as a public outdoor artwork. Visit during daylight hours when natural light brings out the details of the bronze and water effects.
Two large guardian stone figures carved from Darley Dale stone stand beside the main fountain and blend features from different animals into their forms. These protective figures are subtle details that many visitors overlook but add depth to the composition.
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