3-043-826 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Prince Consort National Memorial: "Engineering", by J. Lawlor, 1872. Sculptures on the Albert Memorial. 'The four groups of marble statues, representing "Agriculture" and "Manufactures," "Commerce" and "Engineering," which occupy the four corners of the podium, or basement, of the Gothic shrine erected opposite the Royal Albert Hall at Kensington [in London], are not the least important feature of this gorgeous and sumptuous combination. [The Engineering] group is placed on the north-west angle of the podium. The Genius of Engineering, a female figure, is standing above the cither figures, with one hand resting on the steam-cylinder. In front a youthful figure, with compasses in hand, refers to a design or plan spread on the ground. On the one side is seated a navvy, the great primary agent in all engineering operations, and on the other side kneels a figure holding a cog-wheel, as indicative of the engineers' art by means of machinery, At the back of the group is shown the steam-hammer, together with the blastfurnace, and a representation of the Britannia and Menai bridges - all triumphs of engineering art of the present century'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.