Equestrian statue of Robert Napier

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Field Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala
Robert Napier equestrian statue - London, UK - DSC05886.jpg
Equestrian statue of Robert Napier
Artist Joseph Edgar Boehm
Completion date1891
Subject Robert Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
Location London
Coordinates 51°30′05″N0°10′49″W / 51.5013°N 0.1803°W / 51.5013; -0.1803
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameStatue of Field Marshal Lord Napier
Designated15 April 1969
Reference no.1224311

The equestrianstatue ofRobert Napier is a Grade II listed statue at the northern end of Queen's Gate in Kensington. [1]

Lord Napier was of a military background and served in India and China. His most significant act, for which he would receive his baronetcy, was leading the British expedition to Abyssinia in 1867–1868. Here he would capture Magdala with the aim of freeing European hostages taken by Tewodros II. [2] [3]

The statue was designed by Joseph Edward Boehm and depicts Napier in tropical uniform holding binoculars. Completed in 1891, it was originally placed in Waterloo Place but in 1921 was moved to be replaced by an equestrian statue of Edward VII, which itself had a lengthy process in deciding a location for. [4] The statue is a replica of one erected in Kolkata. [5]

In 2004, the local council and English Heritage gave permission to a local student of the Royal College of Art to cover the statue in red duct tape, despite the permission granted from such bodies the artwork would spark controversy. [4]

References

  1. ↑ "Statue of Field Marshal Lord Napier, Non Civil Parish – 1224311 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  2. ↑ Baker, Margaret (2002). Discovering London statues and monuments. Discovering series (5. ed., revised and updated ed.). Princes Risborough: Shire Publications. p. 74. ISBN   978-0-7478-0495-6.
  3. ↑ Blackwood, John; Irwin, Caroline, eds. (1989). London's immortals: the complete outdoor commemorative statues (1. publ ed.). London: Savoy Pr. p. 266. ISBN   978-0-9514296-0-0.
  4. 1 2 Matthews, Peter (2012). London's statues and monuments. Shire library. Oxford: Shire Publications. p. 150. ISBN   978-0-7478-0798-8.
  5. ↑ "Field Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala (1810–1890) | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
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