I have to admit, I’d never noticed them either. Hundreds of commuters pass over the Thames on Vauxhall Bridge every morning – on foot, on bike, on bus, or in a car – and they don’t notice them. These little-known sculptures are really meant to be seen from the water – from boats plying the swirling currents of the Thames – but they are nonetheless worth a look from the bridge. After all, they include Britain’s smallest cathedral.
Apparently, when the bridge was built in 1906, the city was concerned it might appear drab and uninteresting – so they commissioned sculptures to be mounted on each of the piers. Each is a bronze woman holding an object representing important disciplines. Alfred Drury’s women face downriver, representing the Fine Arts, Science, Education, and Local Government. Frederick Pomeroy’s women face upriver, representing Architecture, Agriculture, Engineering, and Pottery. The Architecture sculpture is shown above and below, holding a miniature St. Paul’s Cathedral.
For photos of the other sculptures, and the bridge, see the gallery. I learned the above information from a delightful book Secret London: An unusual guide. Perhaps the presence of MI6 (Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service) on one end of the bridge contributes to these sculptures’ secret aura. 😏
David Kotz 