The statue – full name The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain – was created in 1892-1893 to commemorate the works of Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, a philanthropist who worked at abolishing child labour and ensuring children were educated in its stead.
Why is there a statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus?
Admire the Piccadilly statue of Eros, a beautiful winged archer poised with his bow, located in Piccadilly Circus. Erected at the end of the 19th century to commemorate Lord Shaftesbury’s philanthropic work, the original name of the monument is Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain.
What does the statue of Eros represent?
The statue was designed by Sir Alfred Gilbert as ‘The God of Selfless Love’, to commemorate the philanthropic good deeds for which the Earl of Shaftesbury was known. Gilbert explained his choice of Anteros, saying the god represented ‘reflective and mature love, as opposed to Eros or Cupid, the frivolous tyrant.
What is the statue in Piccadilly Circus?
The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, popularly but incorrectly known as “Eros”, is a fountain surmounted by a winged statue of Anteros, located at the southeastern side of Piccadilly Circus in London, England.
When was the statue of Eros built?
1893
Eros is the popular name for the wingèd archer in the centre of Piccadilly Circus. A memorial to the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, it is the work of Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854–1934) and was unveiled in 1893.
What is unique about the statue of Sleeping Eros?
Bronze statue of Eros sleeping 3rd–2nd century BCE
One of the few bronze statues to have survived from antiquity, this figure of a plump baby in relaxed pose conveys a sense of the immediacy and naturalistic detail that the medium of bronze made possible. He is clearly based on firsthand observation.
Has Eros statue moved?
The statue has been removed several times throughout history. It was moved in 1922 when the new Piccadilly Circus station was built (before the new station, the booking hall had been overground) – and again in 1939 for the Second World War and in the 1980s and 1990s for restoration. What is this?
What is the story behind Eros?
700 bce), Eros was a primeval god, son of Chaos, the original primeval emptiness of the universe, but later tradition made him the son of Aphrodite, goddess of sexual love and beauty, by either Zeus (the king of the gods), Ares (god of war and of battle), or Hermes (divine messenger of the gods).
Was Eros a man or woman?
Cult and depiction
Ultimately, in the later satirical poets, he is represented as a blindfolded child, the precursor to the chubby Renaissance Cupid, whereas in early Greek poetry and art, Eros was depicted as a young adult male who embodies sexual power, and a profound artist.
Why did people worship Eros?
EROS was the god of love, desire and procreation. He was typically worshipped in conjunction with the goddess Aphrodite but also had two of his own cult centres–one in the Boiotian town of Thespeia and the other at Parion (Parium) on the Hellespont.
What statue is in Hyde Park?
The memorial was opened in July 1872 by Queen Victoria, with the statue of Albert ceremonially “seated” in 1876.
Albert Memorial.
| The Albert Memorial from the south side | |
|---|---|
| Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap | |
| Location | London, W2 |
Why is there a statue of Achilles in Hyde Park?
The 18ft statue of Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War, commemorates the soldier and politician, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852).
What statue is at Paddington station?
The statue of Paddington Bear
The statue of Paddington Bear at London Paddington station is a bronze sculpture by Marcus Cornish. Erected in 2000, it marks the association between Michael Bond’s fictional bear and the station from which his name derives.
Who made Eros sleeping?
Michelangelo
The sleeping Eros was among the earliest types rediscovered, and it is known that Michelangelo, early in his career, made one that he passed off as an ancient sculpture.
Why is Eros called Eros?
Eros (/ˈɪərɒs/, US: /ˈɛrɒs, irɒs, -oʊs/; from Ancient Greek ἔρως (érōs) ‘love, desire‘) is a concept in ancient Greek philosophy referring to sensual or passionate love, from which the term erotic is derived.
Was Eros born or created?
In the primordial myths, according to Hesiod, Eros was born from Chaos after Gaia and Tartarus and was involved at the beginning of the creation of the cosmos, and he blessed the union of Gaia and Uranus, after which the universe was born.
Why is Eros riding a dolphin?
Eros Riding a Dolphin
Because of the assonance between the ancient Greek word delphis (δελφίς), meaning dolphin, and the word delphus (δελφύς), meaning womb, dolphins were considered animals sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, fertility and desire.
What are the sacred animals of Eros?
Eros’s sacred animal is the hare. Eros had only one child, Hedone, with Psyche the charming maiden. Hedone was the goddess of pleasure, desire, and enjoyment. She was the only child of Psyche as well.
What are Eros 3 important powers?
Telekinesis: Eros has the ability to move objects & mortals with his mind. Conjuration: Eros has the powers to conjure anything or any being he wants. Shape shifting: Eros has the ability to alter his appearance to take whatever form he likes whether mortals or monsters or Gods.
Who is the gold statue in front of Buckingham Palace?
The Queen Victoria Memorial
The Queen Victoria Memorial is located in front of Buckingham Palace and comprises the Dominion Gates (Canada Gate, Australia Gate and South and West Africa Gates), the Memorial Gardens and a vast central monument commemorating the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.
What is the difference between Eros and Anteros?
As the god of love, Eros works to cause persons to fall in love. By contrast, Anteros punishes those who spurn the love of others. Yet Anteros is also the god of requited, or ‘returned’, love and he punishes only those who fail to reciprocate love.