The Pan Statue

Sculpture, by Sir Jacob Epstein for the Land Securities Investment Trust, 1957-9, erected 1961.

MATERIALS: bronze. The replacement plinth* of circa 2010 is of granite and slate, and is not of special interest.

DESCRIPTION: the sculpture, a group of five running figures, is approximately 285cm in length, occupying a long and narrow space within the central reservation of the Edinburgh Gate. The elongated nude forms of a man, woman and boy, preceded by their dog, are shown rushing northwards, creating a dramatic diagonal composition in their leaping onward movement towards the Park. At their heels Pan drives them forward with his pipes. The piece has been described as '‘a sort of symbolic Bacchic rout from the city into the country'’ (Jacob Epstein: Sculpture and Drawings, Whitechapel Art Gallery, 1987).

The current plinth is intended to reflect the diagonal upward movement of the figures: the ends of the plinth slope forwards, the rear slope being more pronounced. A skin of pale grey granite covers the front, back and top of the plinth, creating an outline when viewed from the side.

*Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act of 1990 ('the Act') it is declared that the aforementioned feature is not of special architectural or historical interest.