War

Harry Bates ARA 1850 - 1899

Summary

Bronze plaque depicting a woman (on left) holding a baby in her arms looking over her shoulder at a nude soldier standing next to her (on right). Soldier faces in opposite direction (away from viewer) and holds a large oval shield on his arm. He wears a rounded helmet. Bottom of plaque decorated with a frieze depicting a chariot being pulled by two horses.

Display Label

War 1887 Harry Bates 1850 - 99 Cast bronze This shallow relief represents a warrior and his family. The nude man with helmet and shield is bidding farewell to a classically draped woman holding their child. She stands by a fluted column which is echoed in the pilasters of the mahogany architectural frame. On the base, a chariot alludes to the action to come and the work’s title is inscribed in Greek. Bates was a stone carver and architectural decorator before he attended the Royal Academy Schools. In 1883 he won a travelling scholarship to Paris, where he met Rodin whose view of sculpture, as a means of expressing physical and emotional energy, greatly influenced his work. Bates’ works include many low reliefs like this one: its pendant Peace is also displayed here. Guy Knowles gift 1933.72