Monuments and statues in public places have always
reflected the nature of the times they were built in. But art and artifice
sometimes don’t blend too well.
Popes, kings, queens, and pioneering statesmen through
the ages exhibited their visionary zeal through landmark statues. Their sense
of history must be appreciated. Perhaps they did not often put up their own
statues like our Mayawati! Prime Minister Nehru was one who vehemently opposed
the idea of a statue of himself during his lifetime.
Just think of all the beautiful statues in public
places around the world that are a feast to the discerning eye! Unfortunately
many of us world travellers are like the Zoozoos..... sprinting around
landmarks in the capitals of the world, eager to “do” as much as possible in a
day! Just Imagine what a waste it would be if one did not bother to look...
My very first “look” at a famous statue was from the
air. You guessed right.... the statue of Liberty,
as we did a turn to land at Kennedy airport. From the air, the majestic lady
continues to fascinate me even after decades of viewing her with awe. She gave
hope to immigrants who headed to Ellis Island
long ago. She probably makes the Shah Rukhs of this world uneasy. But she still
looks great!
Perhaps one of the most worthy as well as the most
admired statues is Michelangelo’s David. Any visitor to Florence would stand awestruck for long to
admire this 17-foot high figure of the youthful David. Although the original,
sculpted from white Carrara marble in the early 16th century is well secured
inside the galleria dell’ Academia, a perfect replica greets one in the main
square of Florence, Piazza della Signoria. The artist has captured the Biblical
youth, David, ready to take on his opponent Goliath. With the light changing
through the day, the fabulous details of Michelangelo’s masterpiece draw one to
gaze at him. An epitome of male beauty, Michelangelo’s David was replicated for
shows everywhere. And when Queen Victoria was
to admire a museum copy in London,
the authorities even covered David with a fig leaf to maintain the epoch’s
reservations about nudity in art!
Speaking of Queen Victoria,
she can lay claim to be the brain behind one of the most interesting public
statues of London.
Her beloved husband prince Albert has been suitably commemorated in Kensington
gardens. Known as the Albert memorial, it stands in Gothic splendour opposite
the Albert Hall. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, this imposing monument
is virtually a gallery of sculptures and fine mosaics. The gilded statue of the
prince seated majestically is only the centre piece. He is surrounded on all
sides by allegorical figures, well sculpted and beautifully maintained by
National Heritage. As it was commissioned at the height of Empire, the monument
emphasises all aspects of Great
Britain’s claim to fame in the Victorian
era. Even large animals like the elephant and the camel stare down at you from
their majestic perches, reminding you of Britain’s
presence in Asia, Africa and so on. Certainly
the Albert memorial is well worth a walk-and-look.
Wish-fulfilling
fountain
Toss three coins in the Trevi Fountain
When in Rome, do as the Romans do—rather, as all other
visitors do, go to the Fontana de Trevi, and toss three coins into the fountain
over your right shoulder without looking back, to be lucky with romance, love,
marriage! For one generation, this act of pure make-believe cannot be achieved
without at least humming the eternal Sinatra melody—“Three Coins in the
Fountain”—from the 1954 Hollywood movie. In
ancient Rome,
aqueducts that brought water to the city, terminated in a landmark fountain.
Trevi too is one such. Over time, several Popes who ruled Rome saw to it that the fountains reflected
their power and wealth in grandeur. The present fountain is a fabulous monument
set against a palazzo with arches, niches and columns to illustrate renaissance
art. Built over many decades, Trevi was crafted by many great Italian artists
including, Salvi, Pannini and Bernini. The central figure is Oceanus, the god
of all waters, riding his chariot: a giant shell, guided by tritons. The whole
monument is striking in its magnificent kinetic energy. To linger around it by
day and by night is as good as a walk through a sculpture garden. What’s more,
one can also make a wish and hope it comes true!
Funny side
Perhaps the funniest little statue/fountain is the
Manneken Pis in Brussels.
No great work of art, he is a tiny boy, peeing into a fountain, with tourist
cameras clicking away around him all day! He was put up to commemorate a little
boy’s helpful act in detonating an explosive during some ancient war. Legends
abound about the little boy’s statue. Some say a rich merchant lost his son and
found him, in the end, in a quiet corner. To thank the city and its dwellers
who helped him, he erected the fountain and put the statue of his boy as he
found him!
There are many statues and monuments worth lingering
over when one travels. Some are such impressive works of art that one should
not sweep past them without observing their sheer beauty, style and elegance.
Whether it is a sky-scraping Bhima of the Mahabharata in distant Bali, or a
quiet Tiruvalluvar at the entrance of the School
of Oriental and African Studies in London, statues,
monuments, and fountains are signifiers of history and culture.
