Statue of George Canning
The statue in 2015
ArtistRichard Westmacott
Year1832 (1832)
MediumBronze sculpture
Coordinates51°30′04″N 0°07′40″W / 51.50100°N 0.12775°W / 51.50100; -0.12775

The statue of George Canning in Parliament Square, Westminster, London, is an 1832 work by Sir Richard Westmacott.

Description and history

The 3.56 metres (11.7 ft) bronze sculpture depicts George Canning (British Prime Minister during 1827) larger than life size, swathed in a long robe and a cloak, holding a scroll in his left hand, similar to a classical statue of an orator from Ancient Rome, although his legs are covered with modern trousers and he has laced shoes on his feet. The statue stands on a 4.4 metres (14 ft) granite plinth which bears the inscription "GEORGE CANNING".

The statue was first erected near St Margaret's, Westminster, overlooking Old Palace Yard. It was unveiled there on 2 May 1832, five years after Canning's death in office aged 57 in August 1827. The statue was said to be a good likeness, and was based on a bust made by Francis Chantrey for his memorial at Westminster Abbey.

The statue was moved to Parliament Square in 1867, becoming the first statue in the new square as it was laid out. It stands outside 12 Great George Street, the home of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, in an area now known as Canning Green. The statue became a Grade II listed building in 1970.

See also

References

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