Statue

Crutched Friars

Erection date: 1985

Inscription

{On the inside of the scroll held by the friar on the left is an inscription that is not intended for easy reading:}
??? the ???????di ntial {Basically, we can't read it. Take a ladder and a torch if you want to have a go.}

Red granite and off-white marble with some bronze. Close examination of this lovely sculpture revealed the secret inscription and a key (a real, modern-day mortice key) hidden on the step below the habit of the friar on the right. We left it there, and it was still there a few months later.

But isn't this sculpture just lovely? The post-modern optical illusion of the steps and the entrance, the asymmetrical bollard and the smoothness of the stone that just makes you want to stroke it. One of our favourites.

Ornamental Passions don't like it as much as we do.

Site: Crutched Friars (1 memorial)

EC3, Crutched Friars, Friary Court

This unusually acceptable post-modern building, designed by Chapman Taylor Partners, was erected by Commercial Union Assurance in 1984-5. 



Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Crutched Friars

Subjects commemorated i

Friars of the Holy Cross, Crutched Friars

Their odd name is just a corruption of 'Crossed', a reference to the red clot...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Crutched Friars

Created by i

Michael Black

Sculptor, based in Oxford  active around 1971 - 85. 2023: We were sorry to r...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Alice and Quintin Hogg

Alice and Quintin Hogg

W1, Portland Place

Portland Place is an extremely wide road for London, and was built like that in the late 18th century. The Duke of Portland owned all the...

5 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Burlington House - Titian

Burlington House - Titian

W1, Piccadilly, Royal Academy

This building is commonly known as the Royal Academy (of Arts). The wings of the building are occupied by a number of learned societies, ...

1 subject commemorated
V&A façade - Tompion

V&A façade - Tompion

SW7, Cromwell Road

Excluding the allegories (such as Knowledge) there are 36 statues on the two public façades of the V&A Museum, on Exhibition Road and...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Dowding

Dowding

WC2, Strand

Unveiled by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on 31 October 1988, as a Spitfire flew over.

2 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Sir John Cass Foundation, Aldgate - Charity boy

Sir John Cass Foundation, Aldgate - Charity boy

EC3, Aldgate, Primary School

This building now houses the Junior school of the Foundation established by Sir John Cass. Previously the Sir John Cass's Foundation Prim...

1 subject commemorated