Anteros by cfulton
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Description
I have always thought that this statue was Eros at Piccadilly Circus - according to Wikipedia not so!
At the southwestern side of the Circus, moved after World War II from its original position in the centre, stands the Shaftesbury Monument Memorial Fountain, erected in 1892-1893 to commemorate the philanthropic works of Lord Shaftesbury, who was a famous Victorian politician and philanthropist.
The statue was the first in the world to be cast in aluminium and is set on a bronze fountain, which itself inspired the marine motifs that Gilbert carved on the statue.
The statue is generally believed to depict Eros but was intended to be an image of his twin brother, Anteros. The sculptor Alfred Gilbert had already sculpted a statue of Anteros and, when commissioned for the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, chose to reproduce the same subject, who, as "The God of Selfless Love" was deemed to represent the philanthropic 7th Earl of Shaftesbury suitably. Gilbert described Anteros as portraying "reflective and mature love, as opposed to Eros or Cupid, the frivolous tyrant." The model for the sculpture was Gilbert's studio assistant, a 16-year-old Italian, Angelo Colarossi (born 1875).
Whatever his name, it is still a place the pigeons visit!
Clive
Comments (14)
Blush
Great image and find....:) And POV as well Wondering if the model is suppose to be the frivolous tyrant or the reflective and mature love....I don't see how a 16yr old is suppose to be model for mature love........I am going for the frivolous tyrant LOL:) Hugs Susan~
durleybeachbum
Well, what a surprise, Clive!! I love the angle you got on this.
jayfar
Great POV Clive and thanks for the info - I didn't know that.
angora
stunning pic!!! awesome POV
fallen21
Awesome shot.
debbielove
An Icon! Rosy demanded we see this! lol I believe she took 'several' photos! Great POV Clive! Rob
Fidelity2
It is excellent. I thank you. 5+!
kgb224
Superb capture Clive. God Bless.
bmac62
Anteros! Makes perfect logic. Love the fountain and outline of the figure...looks like a toughy to get the light right on.
qrud
I love the city of london.
Faemike55
Very cool capture Clive wonderful information
brewgirlca
I love the contrasting colors here, the strong black against the buff sandstone.
auntietk
If they're twins, which one a statue was modeled after seems a bit of a moot point! I love the contrast and composition. Terrific shot!
MrsRatbag
Wonderful composition, and what fantastic intricate details on the fountain itself!