Erection date: 25/11/1952
{On the gravestone:} Here I lie
Carved at the top of the gravestone is a portrait of Anrep himself. The image below, on the left shows a few mosaic tesserae and the special tools of a mosaicist: a hammer and a trowel. The image below on the right shows the Anrep coat of arms. That Wikipedia page does not explain the symbols, and the coat of arms seems of early origin so it must just be coincidence that the comb-like object bears a striking resemblance to a mosaic trowel spatula.
This mosaic panel is not just a rather bleak nod to the artist's eventual demise, it is also his signature on the entire floor, what he probably realised was his greatest work.
Site: National Gallery - Anrep mosaics - Virtues (15 memorials)
WC2, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery - Staircase Hall - North Vestibule
See National Gallery - Anrep mosaics - Muses for general information about these mosaic floors.
The 1954 'Modern Virtues' is in a style very different from that of the earlier 'Muses' floor, with scenes depicted inside frames which carry each scene’s title. These panels appear to be laid on a mosaic floor with a geometric pattern, on which autumnal leaves have fallen – trompe l'oeil in mosaic.
This 'Modern Virtues' floor was gifted (which we take to mean funded) by Maud Russell and opened on 25 November 1952.
To avoid database clutter we have put the Creator links on just the page for the Anrep panel.
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