Achilles

Exquisite statue of Achilles in Hyde Park London.

 

Just look at the form, proportion, detail, angularity, muscularity and readines of Achilles. What an astonishing achievement for Richard Westmacott, the sculptor and artist, to produce such a wonderful and fascinating piece of work.. Is there a sculpture/statue "more perfect" than this piece? It is phenomenal.

 

A bit of history. Achilles is one of the only two people described as god-like; in the Iliad. In the Trojan War Achilles killed many of the Trojans. He also defeated Memnon of Ethiopia, Cycnus of Colonae and the Amazonian warrior Penthesilia (with whom Achilles also had an affair in some versions).

 

But as predicted by Hector with his dying breath, Achilles was thereafter killed by Paris — either by an arrow to the heel, or in an older version by a knife to the back while visiting Polyxena, a Trojan princess.

 

The sculptor Richard Westmacott studied under his father, Richard Westmacott the Elder, before going to Rome in 1793 to become a pupil of Canova. He achieved rapid success, and in 1797 was able to return to England and set up his own studio.

 

He showed for work at the RA from that year through until 1839, and became ARA in 1805 and RA in 1811. He was Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy from 1827 (after Flaxman), and was knighted in 1837. His studio was said to be the largest establishment of any sculptor bar that of Chantrey.

 

A deep blue sky behind this statue would have added to the fascination.

 

LET ME KNOW WHY YOU CLICKED ONTO THIS IMAGE.

Your comment would be of interest. :-)

Done