The Hyde Park Statue of Achilles lends an unexpected helping hand and fig leaf to prop up posters with the words “Stop This Bloody War” during the biggest anti-war demonstration ever held in Britain, actually before the war against Iraq has started. On following peace demonstrations the statue was securely boxed up out of reach. British people anticipated the suffering and profound difficulties a war against Iraq would create, however the British Government did not. London, 15/02/2003
Hyde Park Statue of Achilles was sculpted in 1822 by Richard Westmacott, RA. It is cast from cannons won at the victories of Salmanaca, Vittoria, Toulouse and Waterloo; it is dedicated to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington and his solders. It was commissioned by the Women of England. It was the first statue of a naked man on public display in London; however the fig leaf was added later for modesty's sake. This Statue of Achilles was placed at a site near the London residence of the Duke of Wellington, 1 London, Hyde Park Corner, on the XVIII day of June MDCXXII by command of His Majesty George III.
In Greek mythology, Achilles (also Akhilleus or Achilleus) was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the principal character of Homer's Iliad.
Date: 23/02/2003
Location: Hyde Park, London, UK
Photographer: Richard Keith Wolff
