top of page

SCULPTURE

Gioconda (3)_edited.jpg
FROM BEHIND

The back is not empty space. Sculpture in the round is multi-sided. Knowledgeable interpretation often treats sides and backs as integral, rather than secondary. 

​

A rear view can mean different things: a  photograph taken from the back, a walk around a freestanding work, an oblique view that reveals the transition between front and rear, or an examination of the reverse side of a monument's base, inscription, or construction. A viewing condition, rather than a single artistic category.

​

The front is often the side selected by museums, guidebooks, and photographs as the official image. A rear view tests whether that image represents the whole object or only its most communicative face. 

​

A rear view is valuable when it answers a specific question. If the question is about iconography, inspect inscriptions, attributes, and the relation between front and back. If it is about form, trace silhouette, weight, overlap, and support, or about engineering, study seams, attachments, and the skin's relation to the frame. If it is about memory, compare an image with the monument's full spatial presence. A sculpture's back is often the place where an apparently simple public image becomes a complex object in space.

La Linea de la Concepcion

La Linea de la Concepcion

Monumento al Trabajador Español

The sculpture is a life-sized bronze figure of a man in a flat cap and work clothes, pushing a bicycle loaded with a large pannier bag—likely a worker's lunch or tools. This monument carries a much deeper meaning than just a tribute to cycling. It commemorates the thousands of Spanish workers from La Línea and the surrounding area who crossed the border daily to work in Gibraltar . For decades, these workers were a vital part of Gibraltar's economy, and the statue honors their contribution and the unique cross-border relationship.

Derbyshire

Derbyshire

The Wounded Achilles

A marble sculpture created by Italian artist Filippo Albacini around 1825.The work depicts the Greek hero Achilles at the moment he is struck by a poisoned arrow, traditionally guided by the god Apollo, in his only vulnerable spot—his heel. The sculpture is renowned for its dramatic intensity, capturing the hero's agony and surprise as he looks up, while his hand reaches toward the golden arrow.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson Monument

Life-sized bronze statue of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson. Sculpted by British artist John Doubleday, the statue depicts Horatio Nelson in full naval uniform, looking southward toward the Strait of Gibraltar and Trafalgar. The base of the bronze figure includes nautical motifs, including a coiled rope and a sextant, resting atop a circular marble pedestal. Commissioned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar (1805–2005), the statue honours Nelson’s strong historical connection to Gibraltar, where his body was, brought aboard HMS Victory following his victory and death at Trafalgar.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Corps of Royal Engineers Monument

Bronze statue depicting an 18th-century Soldier Artificer in historical uniform, holding a ramrod alongside a smoothbore cannon. The bronze figure stands atop a block of local Gibraltar limestone with an engraved commemorative brass plaque attached to its front face. Presented to the People of Gibraltar by the Corps of Royal Engineers to commemorate the continuous service given by the Corps on the Rock of Gibraltar from 1704 and the formation here in 1772 of the first body of soldiers of the Corps, then known as the Company of Soldier Artificers. Inaugurated 26th March, 1994.

London

London

The Great Elephant Migration

A major public environmental art installation exhibited across London’s Royal Parks (such as Green Park and St. James's Park) in May–July 2021. The installation consisted of a herd of 100 life-sized Asian elephant sculptures. Each elephant was handcrafted using steel frames wrapped in dried stalks of Lantana camara—a toxic, invasive weed that poses a major threat to native habitats in India. Removing the weed helps restore local ecosystems and native biodiversity. The sculptures were meticulously crafted by Indigenous artisans (including members of the Bettakurumba, Soliga, Kattunayakan, and Paniya communities) in the Nilgiri Hills of Southern India, who live alongside wild elephants in harmony.

Ronda

Ronda

Monumento al General San Martín

Located in Plaza del Socorro. Inscription Details: The Roman numerals carved into the stone pedestal read:
VII ENERO MDCCLXXVIII**: January 7, 1778 (the birth date of General José de San Martín).
X AGOSTO MDCCCX

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Gibraltar War Memorial

Also known as the British War Memorial), located on Line Wall Road. Sculpted out of Carrara marble by Spanish artist Jose Piquet Catoli, it was unveiled on September 27, 1923. Features a soldier and a sailor standing back-to-back holding a draped flag. Inscription on the base reads: "In Grateful Remembrance of the Citizens of Gibraltar who gave their lives in the Great War".

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Gibraltar Defence Force Statue

A WWII Gibraltar Defence Force soldier in summer battle dress on guard duty, holding a rifle and looking out across the square. Unveiled to honor all Gibraltarians who served in the Gibraltar Volunteer Corps, the Gibraltar Defence Force, and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

Santander

Santander

Monumento a Pedro Velarde

Located at the entrance of Porticada Plaza (officially named Plaza de Pedro Velarde) in Santander, Cantabria, Spain. Honours Pedro Velarde y Santillón (1779–1808), an artillery captain born near Santander. He became a major national hero during the Peninsular War. The inscription on the pedestal references the Dos de Mayo (May 2nd) Uprising of 1808.

London

London

The Crouching Venus

The Flemish sculptor Nost the Elder arrived in Britain in the 1680s. His inspiration for this work came from an ancient Roman sculpture of Venus in the Royal Collection that he is very likely to have seen in person, as he had court patrons. It is one of the earliest interpretations of this classical sculpture, some years before the Grand Tour became fashionable. Made in marble, signed and dated 1702.

Paris

Paris

The National Convention monument

The National Convention monument inside the Panthéon in Paris is a massive stone sculpture created by artist François-Léon Sicard. Commissioned originally for the Tuileries gardens and completed around 1911–1920 after years of work. Placed at the far end of the Panthéon where the high altar of the former church once stood. Inscribed with the words "Live free or die," marking the building's shift from a church to a secular monument for the nation.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Statue of Admiral Sir George Rooke - Detail

Historical Significance: Admiral Sir George Rooke commanded the combined Anglo-Dutch fleet that captured Gibraltar in August 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. The Monument: Unveiled in 2004 to mark the 300th anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar,the bronze statue depicts Rooke in 18th-century naval attire. It stands outside the historic defensive walls overlooking the port area, honouring his pivotal role in bringing Gibraltar under British control.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Statue of Admiral Sir George Rooke

Historical Significance: Admiral Sir George Rooke commanded the combined Anglo-Dutch fleet that captured Gibraltar in August 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. The Monument: Unveiled in 2004 to mark the 300th anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar,the bronze statue depicts Rooke in 18th-century naval attire. It stands outside the historic defensive walls overlooking the port area, honouring his pivotal role in bringing Gibraltar under

Salamanca

Salamanca

Monumento a Francisco de Vitoria

A bronze statue created by sculptor Francisco Toledo and unveiled in 1975. It stands on the Plaza del Concilio de Trento directly in front of the Convent of San Esteban (Convento de San Esteban) in Salamanca, depicting the 16th-century Dominican philosopher and theologian who is considered one of the founders of modern international law.

Fez

Fez

Ancient Egyptian deity (contemporary reproduction)

Mimics the dark stone (basalt or schist) look typical of Egyptian antiquities but is typically moulded from a modern polymer resin, soapstone, or polystone composite.
The profile of the crown features horizontal horns and a central plume structure, commonly associated with deities like the ram-headed creator god Khnum or the crocodile-headed god Sobek. It is most likely Khnum.

bottom of page