Victory by Paul Raphael Montford (1868-1948). Marble. Arch on the New Government Offices over King Charles Street, Whitehall, London [Click on the above images for larger pictures.]
Bob Speel points out that the scene on the arch spanning the street “features both nautical and trade aspects. To the left, also by Montford, a freestanding group of Victory, seated, laurel wreath squashed underfoot, with horn of plenty in one arm, the other comfortingly around the shoulders of a rather elderly, downtrodden-looking workman with mallet. On the right hand side, the matching group again shows Victory, with sword, shield and plumed helmet tucked away, elbow resting on a more youthful and heroic labourer. The significance of all this is obscure. The spandrel figures below are by a different artist, W. S. Frith. The viewer will not fail to notice the contrast between Montford's sturdy, Amazonian females and the more sensuous rounded forms of Frith's girls below.” One possible interpretation of the two scenes with Victory: She consoles or congratulates the old man, showing his efforts have produced victory, and inspires the young man to repeate the kind of sacrifice for his country — and government — that the older man has made.
Photographs and caption material by Robert Freidus. Formatting, commentary, and perspective correction by George P. Landow. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Bibliography
“Paul Raphael Montford.” Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951. University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011. Web. 11 May 2011.
Pevsner, Nikolaus and Bridget Cherry. London Volume One. London: Penguin Books, 1989.
Speel, Bob. "A Walk down Whitehall." Web. 21 May 2011.
Last modified 13 August 2011