Angel of Christian Charity

14 February, 2012 at 12:11 am | Posted in Slug, snail, puppydog tail | Leave a comment
Tags: London's statutes

London’s most famous statue and probably its most loved is always surrounded by visitors, being at the heart of the West End. A beautiful naked boy Eros – Greek mythology for intimate love – shooting an arrow, what could be more romantic? Described after it’s unveiling in 1893 as a “striking contrast to the ugliness of the generalities of our street sculpture” it has remained in Londoner’s hearts. Unfortunately the statue depicts Anteros his rather boring brother whose concern was unselfish and reflective charity and nothing to do with love. The statue surmounts a memorial fountain for philanthropist the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury who campaigned to stop child labour in factories.

Eros’s bow is directed not at his lover’s heart but towards the public’s social conscience. Some say it was originally pointed towards Shaftesbury in Dorset, and as a play on words the arrow or “shaft” pointed down and would be “buried” in the ground.

Sculptor Alfred Gilbert used as his model a 16-year-old studio assistant called Angelo Colarossi from Brook Green, and unlike the heavy bronzes of the day composed the statue of 15 light separate aluminium castings – wings, head, torso, legs – using the new-fangled Delville Costner process. This allowed the daring pose on tiptoe possible, in bronze he could not stand up unsupported, a problem many have in Piccadilly Circus on Saturdays nights.

Little realising its symbolism Londoner’s have adopted this beautiful statue as representing its cultural and romantic heart. How appropriate is it that the figure celebrating unselfish and reflective charity should be placed at the centre of the world’s capital that welcomes people from all nations to its bosom.

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