London Pride sculpture

London Pride sculpture, c1987 bronze cast of 1950-51 plaster sculpture by Frank Dobson, on low slate platform with inscription by David Kindersley. The sculpture is sited on Queen’s Walk on the South Bank, adjacent to the National Theatre.

The sculpture is 2.14m in height and comprises two life size female nudes, seated on a draped block with an empty bowl resting on the right hand figure’s lap. Dobson’s intention is that it would be planted with Saxifraga urbium (London Pride), hence the punning title of the piece. The rough modelling is a result of Dobson’s working technique of building up the form by applying and moulding small pieces of clay. The piece is signed in the bottom left corner of the plinth. The bronze rests on a low slate platform, with the following inscription, carved by David Kindersley: ‘LONDON PRIDE / FRANK DOBSON CBE RA / 1886–1963 / Commissioned for / THE FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN 1951 / GIVEN BY MARY DOBSON 1987 / AND PLACED ON THE SOUTH BANK / Assisted generously by Lynton Property & Revisionary Plc and / The Henry Moore Foundation / ARTS COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN’.