Art about Leicester peopleClick on a photo for a large version. |
This is artwork about people with a connection to Leicester:
The most famous person, who has inspired more than one artwork, is Richard III. He stayed in Leicester before the Battle of Bosworth. This battle was disastrous for him, and he was killed. His body was displayed in Leicester (to show he was dead!) and then was buried in Greyfriars. However the exact location was forgotten. Astonishingly, in 2012, the body was discovered under a carpark, as part of an archaeological excavation. It was proved to be Richard III by DNA. Such a jaw-dropping story has naturally inspired artworks, although the first was set up before the body was discovered. The body was reburied in the cathedral.
This is by James Walter Butler, in 1988. It is front of the cathedral, in St Martins.
This is by Dallas Pierce Quintero, in 2014. It is near the other statue, in St Martins. The structure was developed as part of the landscaping of the Cathedral gardens and celebrates the discovery of the remains of King Richard III. The artwork tells the story of the king's last moments in battle. It is made of twelve vertical steel plates representing the moments before, during and after the final journey of King Richard III from Bosworth to Leicester.
This is called the Maypole. It is in Castle Green, entrance in The Newarke (and others). The crown of Richard III was famously found in a Hawthorn bush. This artwork shows the hawthorn at the base, and the crown (rather implausibly) very high up.
This is created by topiary artist Steve Manning. It is on King Richard Road (end of Glenfield Road). Richard III rode along this road from Leicester to the Battle of Bosworth, and his corpse was brought back the same way. There are lots of photos as I found it tricky to get a simple impression of it.
This is by Sean Hedges-Quinn. It is in the Market Place, Green Dragon Square. Shoe factory machinist Alice Hawkins played a key role in the campaign to give women a say in politics in the early 1900s when they were still denied the vote.
This is by George Anderson Lawson. It is at the junction of Welford Placethe and Newarks Street. John Biggs (1801-1871) was a Leicester hosier and Liberal and Radical politician.
This is by James Walter Butler. It is outside Leicester railway station, in London Road. Thomas Cook (1808-1892) was the package holiday pioneer. His first excursion was a modest train trip to Loughborough in 1841. This statue sometimes wears a football scarf (although not whilte we were there).
This is by Edward Davis. It is in the market place, between the Corn Exchange (which is a Wetherspoons) and the market. The statue shows the 5th Duke of Rutland, John Henry Manners, and dates back to 1852, making it Leicester's first public statue. Rutland was Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire between 1799 and 1857. He was also a prominent owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses. His most successful horse was Cadland, which won The Derby in 1828.
This is by Gautam Pal. It is in Belgrave Road, opposite Moorgate Street. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule.
This is at the corner of Halford Street and Charles Street. There were several stars (presumably of Leicester people) but Sue Townsend (the writer - Adrian Mole) was the only one I recognised.
This was designed by Colin Hargrave and Roy Webb. It is in the New Walk, at the Welford Place end. The pavement was initiated by The Friends of New Walk in pursuit of their aim of enhancing New Walk with monuments to the famous of Leicester. Friends of New Walk decided that only writers who have died should be represented and the selection of names was by the Friends. It is of course open to others, now or in the future, to add to those commemorated. See Friends of New Walk website.
© Jo Edkins 2023