The Trafalgar Square Lions

Overview

• Trafalgar Square is a famous tourist spot in London, notable for its sculptures.
• The most iconic sculptures are the four lions surrounding Nelson's Column.
• These lions are known as the Landseer Lions, named after the sculptor Sir Edwin Landseer.

History

• The idea of placing lions at Trafalgar Square was to symbolize heroism, specifically representing Lord Nelson.
• Planning and realization were fraught with challenges, including funding issues and disagreements.
• Originally intended to accompany Nelson's Column in 1839, the lions were only realized in 1867.
• The House of Commons funded £6000 for the lions, and Sir Edwin Landseer was chosen to design them despite having no prior sculpting experience.

Design and Controversy

• Landseer, known for his animal paintings, faced challenges due to his lack of sculptural experience and poor health.
• It was controversial to select him over other sculptors, leading to public and media backlash.
• There was a debate over the pose of the lions, with Queen Victoria reportedly finding the roaring pose too shocking.
• Additional funding was needed for casting, leading to further delays.

Material and Construction

• The lions are made from bronze, sourced from cannons of French and Spanish ships defeated at the Battle of Trafalgar.
• A previous attempt by sculptor Thomas Milnes using stone was deemed inadequate.

Design Details

• Landseer used a deceased lion from the London Zoo as a model, which decomposed before completion, resulting in inaccuracies.
• Notably, the paws and the backs of the lions are not anatomically accurate.
• They were sculpted with certain artistic liberties, like sphinx-like paws.

Legacy

• Despite initial criticism, the lions are now a beloved part of Trafalgar Square, attracting many tourists.
• They are part of London's cultural heritage and continue to be admired for their history and artistic value.

Author

• Written by Sascha, a London-based expert passionate about sharing insights into the city's landmarks and history.

Tags: LondonAsked, SeeYouInLDN, TrafalgarSquare, TrafalgarSquareHistory, TrafalgarSquareLions

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