Statue of George III, Somerset House facts for kids
The statue of George III, Somerset House, officially called George III and the River Thames, is a large bronze sculpture in London, England. It shows King George III and a figure representing the River Thames. You can find it in the main courtyard of Somerset House. The artist who created this statue was John Bacon. It was put in place between 1778 and 1789.
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The Famous Statue of King George III
This important statue is a Grade I listed artwork. This means it's considered very special and protected. It shows King George III, who was the ruler of Great Britain and Ireland for a long time. He is shown next to a figure that represents the River Thames, which flows through London.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
King George III in the statue is dressed in clothes that look like what ancient Romans wore. He is leaning on a rudder, which is used to steer a boat. Next to him, you can see the front part of a Roman boat and a lion.
Below King George III, on a curved base, is the figure of Father Thames. He is lying down with one hand resting on a large pot. Behind him, there's a cornucopia, which is a symbol of plenty and good things.
Who Made This Statue?
The talented artist who created this sculpture was John Bacon. He was a well-known sculptor in his time. He worked on this large and detailed artwork for many years, from 1778 to 1789.
A Royal Question and a Clever Reply
There's a famous story about this statue. When Queen Charlotte, King George III's wife, first saw the statue of her husband, she had a question for the sculptor. She asked John Bacon, "Why did you make such a scary-looking figure?"
John Bacon politely bowed and gave a very clever answer. He replied, "Art cannot always create what nature can – the perfect mix of beauty and greatness." This meant that while nature (like the King himself) could be both beautiful and majestic, it was harder for art to capture both perfectly.
