In search of knowledge
This bronze statue by sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi (1924–2005) depicts Sir Isaac Newton in the search for knowledge. It is located in the piazza of the British Library in London.
Based on William Blake’s famous watercolour 'Newton', the six-tonne sculpture was cast by the Morris Singer Foundry established in 1848, best known for the Trafalgar Square lions.
Blake’s original watercolour shows Newton surrounded by the glories of nature but oblivious to it all. Instead, he is focused on reducing the complexity of the universe to mathematical dimensions, bending forward with his compass.
For Paolozzi though, the interpretation of his Newton (1995) was very different. He was inspired by both Newton and Blake together – one representing science and the other representing poetry, art and the imagination, and decided that this synthesis would be perfect for the British Library.
He said: ‘While Blake may have been satirising Newton, I see this work as an exciting union of two British geniuses. Together, they present to us nature and science, poetry, art, architecture – all welded, interconnected, interdependent.’
The sculpture measures 3 m in height
© All rights reserved.
In search of knowledge
This bronze statue by sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi (1924–2005) depicts Sir Isaac Newton in the search for knowledge. It is located in the piazza of the British Library in London.
Based on William Blake’s famous watercolour 'Newton', the six-tonne sculpture was cast by the Morris Singer Foundry established in 1848, best known for the Trafalgar Square lions.
Blake’s original watercolour shows Newton surrounded by the glories of nature but oblivious to it all. Instead, he is focused on reducing the complexity of the universe to mathematical dimensions, bending forward with his compass.
For Paolozzi though, the interpretation of his Newton (1995) was very different. He was inspired by both Newton and Blake together – one representing science and the other representing poetry, art and the imagination, and decided that this synthesis would be perfect for the British Library.
He said: ‘While Blake may have been satirising Newton, I see this work as an exciting union of two British geniuses. Together, they present to us nature and science, poetry, art, architecture – all welded, interconnected, interdependent.’
The sculpture measures 3 m in height
© All rights reserved.