Sculpted in memoriam, the Memorial to Edward Onslow Ford stands as a testament to a life dedicated to art. Here, on Grove End Road, near Ford’s home at 62 Acacia Road, his friends and admirers erected this touching tribute. The Memorial to Edward Onslow Ford is more than just stone and bronze. It’s a poignant echo of a sculptor’s influence on his generation. The memorial captures the essence of Ford, a man whose charm and talent left an indelible mark on the art world. Born Edward Onslow Ford in Islington in 1852, he later dropped his first name. He honed his skills in Antwerp and Munich. He became a renowned sculptor, celebrated for his refined portrait busts and innovative contributions to the New Sculpture movement. The monument itself, designed by J W Simpson, features a bronze seated figure, a replica of Ford’s own Muse of Poetry from the Shelley Memorial in Oxford. On the north face, a garlanded portrait bust of Ford, crafted by his assistant, Andrea Carlo Lucchesi, gazes out. A ribbon bears the inscription “To thine own self be true,” a quote from Hamlet. Ford’s work often explored allegorical and mythological themes. His bronze statuettes of young girls, like “Folly,” “Peace,” and “The Singer,” became emblematic of the New Sculpture movement. He also created numerous public monuments, including statues of Rowland Hill, General Gordon, and Queen Victoria. The Memorial to Edward Onslow Ford, erected in 1903, serves as a quiet reminder of the artist’s legacy. His sudden death in 1901, at the young age of 49, left a void in the art world. Yet, his spirit lives on in the delicate lines of his sculptures and in the heartfelt tribute that stands before you.
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