Envision a shepherd, not in rolling green fields, but amidst the towering steel and glass of London. Here, in Paternoster Square, near the imposing St. Paul’s Cathedral, stands the Pastorale statue. The Pastorale, also known as Shepherd and Sheep, isn’t your typical bucolic scene. Created by Elisabeth Frink in 1975, this bronze sculpture presents an androgynous figure guiding five sheep. The Pastorale’s presence near St. Paul’s invites reflection on the theme of the Good Shepherd. Its placement also acknowledges the history of Paternoster Row, once the location of Newgate Market where livestock were traded. This isn’t just art, it’s a conversation between past and present, echoing the echoes of bleating sheep now replaced by the hum of the city. The artist, Elisabeth Frink, might have drawn inspiration from the rural landscapes of the Cévennes region in France where she spent time. Or perhaps from Picasso’s Man with Sheep, another artwork exploring the shepherd motif. Originally commissioned for an older development in Paternoster Square, the Pastorale was briefly relocated during redevelopment. It returned in 2003, placed upon a new Portland stone plinth, a testament to its enduring power. The Pastorale is more than just bronze and stone; it’s a story whispered across time, a reminder of London’s layered history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to