3-043-875 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The National Memorial to the Prince Consort: "Asia," by John Henry Foley, R.A.,1872. 'Here the central figure is seated on an elephant, which is about to rise, and the action of removing her veil is an allusion to the important display of the products of Asia, which was developed at the Great Exhibition of 1851. The prostrate animal is intended to typify the subjection of brute force to human intelligence; and the surrounding figures - namely, the poet of Persia, with his pen and writing-case; the art-manufacturer of China, holding his specimen of porcelain; the warrior of India or Central Asia with his weapons; and the Arab merchant, resting on his camel saddle, with the Koran in his hand...all point to the principal divisions of Asia, and their respective positions in its civilisation and power; thus representing...learning, industry, courage, and enterprise: the combined elements of the national greatness of this quarter of the globe. The general feeling of repose which pervades this group is also characteristic of a great continent over which the tide of civilisation has flowed ages ago, and in which the renown of the individual countries rests more on the actions and life of former times than on any present action or movement'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.