On 18 June 1822 the ’countrywomen of England’ had an embarrassing surprise having contributed to a 18ft tall figure of Achilles as a way of honouring the Duke of Wellington living close by in Apsley House. Said to be in the Duke’s likeness, it was the first nude public statue in London. Standing an impressive 36ft on its plinth his manhood was equally notable. The women had a touch of the vapours and a fig leaf was attached. The organic codpiece has twice had attempts at its removal.
As for that Charles I statue, it spent the Civil War hiding in Holborn and WW2 hiding in Leighton Buzzard; but at least it ended up not much trashed. He lost his sword for a century, though.
On 18 June 1822 the ’countrywomen of England’ had an embarrassing surprise having contributed to a 18ft tall figure of Achilles as a way of honouring the Duke of Wellington living close by in Apsley House. Said to be in the Duke’s likeness, it was the first nude public statue in London. Standing an impressive 36ft on its plinth his manhood was equally notable. The women had a touch of the vapours and a fig leaf was attached. The organic codpiece has twice had attempts at its removal.
Well,David in the V+A that's a fine figure of a man.
Very Bertie Woosterish!
Lenin left without paying the rent! Ha ha ha.
As for that Charles I statue, it spent the Civil War hiding in Holborn and WW2 hiding in Leighton Buzzard; but at least it ended up not much trashed. He lost his sword for a century, though.
Loved this. Fascinating.
The John F. Kennedy bust was also defaced and now it's been taken away for restoration. Please see location, near Great Portland Street Station:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pHpBs6JTTxHvnBsh8
Ah yes, good shout. I think they moved it inside the adjacent hospital.