Erection date: 25/11/1952
Fred Hoyle became known for his original, even controversial, approach to his topic. Here, to observe the glittering, swirling, celestial bodies, rather than use the observatory to the left, he has chosen to shimmy up a nearby spire. He carries a mortar board, referring to his close association with St John's College, Cambridge. The spire may represent one of the four turrets on the tower of St John's College Chapel.
Site: National Gallery - Anrep mosaics - Virtues (15 memorials)
WC2, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery - Staircase Hall - North Vestibule
See National Gallery - Anrep mosaics - Muses for general information about these mosaic floors.
The 1954 'Modern Virtues' is in a style very different from that of the earlier 'Muses' floor, with scenes depicted inside frames which carry each scene’s title. These panels appear to be laid on a mosaic floor with a geometric pattern, on which autumnal leaves have fallen – trompe l'oeil in mosaic.
This 'Modern Virtues' floor was gifted (which we take to mean funded) by Maud Russell and opened on 25 November 1952.
To avoid database clutter we have put the Creator links on just the page for the Anrep panel.
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