The Copper Horse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Copper Horse |
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Statue of George III riding a horse, pointing at Windsor Castle, photographed in 2020
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| Artist | Richard Westmacott |
| Year | 1821a |
| Medium | bronze |
| Subject | George III |
| 51°26′42″N 0°36′33″W / 51.4451°N 0.6093°W | |
| Owner | The Crown Estate |
The Copper Horse is a huge statue of King George III riding a horse. It was finished in 1831. This giant bronze statue was made by Richard Westmacott. It stands on a stone base at Snow Hill, inside Windsor Great Park in Berkshire, England.
The statue is at the end of the Long Walk, a long, straight path lined with trees. This path leads all the way to Windsor Castle. The Copper Horse is a very important historical monument. It has been recognized as a Grade I listed building since 1972.
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Why Was the Copper Horse Built?
A Royal Idea to Honor a King
The idea for the statue came from King George IV. In January 1821, he announced that he wanted a statue to honor his father, King George III. George III had passed away just one year before.
Inspiration from an Earlier Work
Before this, George IV had visited Richard Westmacott's art studio. He saw a smaller statue of George III there. That statue had been ordered by the city of Liverpool to celebrate George III's 50 years as king.
This smaller statue showed George III in old Roman clothes, riding a horse. His right arm was stretched out, much like an ancient Roman statue of Marcus Aurelius. Westmacott had studied art in Rome, so he knew a lot about these old styles.
Choosing the Perfect Spot
The Long Walk, a beautiful avenue of trees, was created by King Charles II. It leads directly from Windsor Castle to Snow Hill. This hilltop was a perfect spot for a grand monument.
Other ideas for monuments had been suggested for Snow Hill before, but none were built. So, the spot was empty. In 1821, King George IV decided that a large bronze statue of George III should stand there. He wanted George III to be pointing towards his favorite home, Windsor Castle.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
A King in Roman Style
The Copper Horse shows King George III on horseback, dressed like a Roman emperor. He wears a laurel wreath (a crown of leaves) and a toga (a type of Roman robe). He is riding without stirrups, just like ancient riders.
This style reminds people of the famous Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome. The tall stone base of the Copper Horse also brings to mind the Bronze Horseman statue in Russia. That statue shows Peter the Great and was unveiled in 1782.
Size and Materials
The bronze statue is much larger than a real person, standing about 26 feet (8 meters) tall. It has an iron frame covered in bronze. Even though it's called the "Copper Horse," it's actually made of bronze. Over time, the bronze has turned a beautiful blue-green color, called verdigris.
The statue sits on a very large stone base, which is about 27 feet (8 meters) high. This base was designed by Jeffry Wyatville. It's made of rough, uneven stones. The statue faces east-west, with King George III turning slightly to his right. He points his right hand north, towards Windsor Castle.
A Surprising Message
On the stone base, there is a message written in Latin: Georgio Tertio / Patri optimo / Georgius Rex. This translates to: 'To George the Third / the best of fathers / King George [IV]'.
This message is a bit ironic. King George III and King George IV, like many fathers and sons in their family, were known to dislike each other!
How It Was Made
Richard Westmacott was officially hired to create the statue in 1824. The Duke of Wellington helped by allowing 25 tons of old brass cannons to be melted down for the bronze. Parts of the statue were cast before October 1828. Even then, people were already calling it the "Copper Horse."
The Copper Horse was a big step in bringing back bronze statues in the UK. The stone base took several more years to finish. King George IV laid a special foundation stone in August 1829. However, the statue was not fully put in place until October 31, 1831, after George IV himself had passed away. The whole project cost a lot of money, over £28,700 in total.
Images for kids
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The statue in 2018
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A close-up view from 2006
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The inscription on the stone base
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The Long Walk, leading to the Copper Horse
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Westmacott's statue of George III in Liverpool
