Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
Edith Cavell (1865–1915)

Image credit: Tracy Jenkins / Art UK

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Notes

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The memorial takes the form of a pylon, with an engaged pedestal projecting from its south side, supporting the figure of Nurse Cavell, who stands erect and with a determined expression, dressed in her nurse’s uniform. On the back of the pylon is a large relief of a lion trampling a serpent. Above the statue and relief, a stone band proclaims Cavell’s qualities: humanity, devotion, sacrifice, and fortitude. The pylon then diminishes somewhat and is capped by a transversal feature, giving it the form of a cross, the upper part formed by the demi-figure of Humanity, a female figure in a nurse’s costume, sheltering between her raised arms a seated child. In the accounts of the time, Humanity was said to be protecting smaller nations.
Title

Edith Cavell (1865–1915)

Date

1915–1920

Medium

Cornish grey granite & white marble

Measurements

H 1080 x W (?) x D (?) cm

Accession number

WC2N_TJ_S042

Acquisition method

purchased by public subscription

Work type

Statue

Custodian

English Heritage

Work status

extant

Listing status

Grade II (England and Wales)

Unveiling date

17th March 1920

Listing date

23/01/70

Access

at all times

Signature/marks description

on left side of base of the portrait statue: GEO FRAMPTON RA / 1920; on the lion and serpent relief, bottom left: gf (monogram)

Inscription description

on front of pedestal: EDITH CAVELL / BRUSSELS / DAWN / OCTOBER 12th / 1915 / PATRIOTISM IS NOT ENOUGH / I MUST HAVE NO HATRED OR / BITTERNESS FOR ANYONE; on horizontal stone above statue, at front: HUMANITY; on horizontal stone above statue, east side: SACRIFICE; on horizontal stone above statue, west side: DEVOTION; on horizontal stone above statue, at back: FORTITUDE; on panel below the group of Humanity, at front: FOR / KING / AND / COUNTRY; on panel below the group of Humanity, at back: FAITHFUL / UNTO / DEATH

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Located at

St Martin's Place, Westminster

WC2N 4JL

Located on the island in the road between the National Portrait Gallery and St Martin in the Fields.