“A monumental head on a tall plinth,” that’s how we can describe the Joseph Paxton Sculpture before us. This isn’t just any sculpture. It’s a tribute to a visionary architect, Sir Joseph Paxton. He was the creator of the Crystal Palace.
This Joseph Paxton Sculpture marks the 20th year of the Palace. It also shows appreciation for its master architect. Public subscription funded this tribute. It was unveiled at a Fete in June 1873. Originally, the bust faced the Palace building across the central pool. Now a car park occupies that space. The Joseph Paxton Sculpture has been re-sited. It now surveys the park.
William F. Woodington sculpted this masterpiece in 1869. Look at the back of the base. You will see his name engraved there. The Joseph Paxton Sculpture is more than just a likeness. It connects with our emotions. The rich baroque hair flows. The facial expression is captivating. It is unlike the frozen Statue of Liberty.
The Carrera marble bust stands eight feet high. The Joseph Paxton Sculpture gives status and dignity to his achievement. The design derives from the colossal head of Emperor Constantine in Rome. The clean lines make it readable from a distance. The Constantine head was meant to inspire awe. The Joseph Paxton Sculpture also inspires. It represents a contribution to our understanding of the Victorian mind.
Sir Joseph Paxton was responsible for the Great Exhibition of 1851. He was born in Milton Bryan, Bedfordshire. The Crystal Palace Company gave him a house. It was Rockhills, north of the Crystal Palace. He lived there from 1853 until his death.
The Joseph Paxton Sculpture originally looked over the central pool. This was before it became a car park. Now it looks out over the park. The Joseph Paxton Sculpture is a reminder of his genius.
Consider the scale. Imagine the impact this Joseph Paxton Sculpture had when first unveiled. Think about the Victorian ambition to match ancient Rome’s grandeur. The Joseph Paxton Sculpture embodies that ambition. It also embodies a deeper interpretation of the world. The Victorians were on the cusp of a new age. The Joseph Paxton Sculpture represents that cusp. It connects us to the past. It inspires us to look forward.