Thursday, April 24, 2008

Shakespeare Statue

Reading that Shakespeare's birthday was celebrated yesterday on April 23 reminded me of this photo I have of the Shakespeare statue in Central Park. There is a pretty garden close to it but it is too early for much to be blossoming there. So in honor of Shakespeare's birthday (a day late!) I'm showing his statue. Here is some info about it from nycgovparks.org

This full-standing portrait of celebrated playwright and poet William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was made by John Quincy Adams Ward (1830-1910) and unveiled on Literary Walk on May 23, 1872. In 1864, coinciding with the tricentennial of Shakespeare's birth, a group of actors and theatrical managers, among them noted Shakepearean actor Edwin Booth, received permission from Central Park's Board of Commissioners to lay the cornerstone for a statue at the south end of the Mall between two elms. Nothing further was done until the end of the Civil War, and through a competition in 1866, Ward was selected as the sculptor.

Ward combined a classical pose with many details of Elizabethan dress, and he relied on numerous images of Shakespeare, especially a bust in Stratford. The sculpture was cast in Philadelphia in 1870, and due to delays in procuring and cutting the granite pedestal in Scotland, was unveiled on a temporary base in 1872.

9 comments:

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

you mean his backside ;D

Olivier said...

une des innombrables statues dans central park. j'ai l'impression que j'en découvre de nouvelles chaque année. Celle de Shakespeare est très belle. Bon Weekend
one of countless statues in central park. I have the impression that I discovered new each year. The Shakespeare is very beautiful. Good Weekend

Dave said...

Shakespeare and his patron saint, St George, share a common birthday.

Blue Wave 707 said...

Interesting shot ... did you get a shot from the opposite angle too?

Nazzareno said...

...one of the greatest world geniuses... but, the statue in distance, it is not that of a certain Columbus?

Greg C said...

That's a great looking statue. I love the trees around it.

Gudl said...

Happy belated birthday Mr. Shakespeare!
Nice statue you've got.

marley said...

Nice looking statue! He died on his birthday too!

meredic said...

While I am sure that the Elizabethan dress is quite authentic....doesn't it look a little like Will forgot his trousers?