All Frances Nutt London scarves and squares tell a story inspired by the London landscape and the people who live there. Some of the craftsmen involved in this statue are from my local neighbourhood.

Although the statue is generally known as Eros, it was created as an image of his brother, Anteros “The God of Selfless Love” and was commisioned to represent the philanthropic 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. The sculptor Alfred 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 Anglo-Italian, Angelo Colarossi (born 1875 in Shepherd’s Bush). Fernando Meacci was involved in the moulding of the fountain and it was probably cast by George Broad & Son a British brass and bronze founder, and a gold and silver carver, the owner of the Hammersmith Foundry.

The first illuminated advertising boards were built in Piccadilly in 1910 and Coca Cola, whose sign can be seen here, have the longest continuous presence at Piccadilly with an advert here continually since 1955. The Guinness Clock advert which can also be seen, was installed in 1955 and was the first of a number of legendary Guinness adverts to have moving parts. As well as a clock face it featured a zoo keeper with 2 juggling sea lions. The clock face was replaced in 1959.

fantastic exhibition @museumoflondon London Nights

Photographer : Henry Grant
Date : 1958

#souloflondon
#esotericlandscapes