3-043-834 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sculptures around the base of the Prince Consort Memorial: South Front - Poets and Musicians.., 1872. The Albert Memorial in London. 'Illustrations of the lifesized figures sculptured in relief on the four sides of the podium, which form an historical series of portraits of the most eminent artists in all ages of the world. The poets and musical composers, by Mr. H. H. Armstead, occupy the south side, fronting the Royal Albert Hall; the painters, also by Mr. Armstead, are ranged on the east side; the architects, by Mr. J. B. Philip, are on the north side; and the sculptors, likewise by Mr. Philip, on the west...The central portion of the south front contains the figures of Homer, enthroned as king of poets, with an ancient Greek lyre in his hand; Dante and Shakspeare, seated at his feet on each side; Pythagoras and Virgil, Milton and Chaucer, leaning on the back of the throne, to the left hand and to the right; then Moliere and Cervantes to the left; Goethe and Schiller to the right; beyond these Corneille, St. Ambrose, and Guido d'Arezzo, on the one hand; Sebastian Bach, Gluck, and Handel, on the other'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.