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John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne (1572–1631)

© Nigel Boonham. All rights reserved, DACS 2024,the artist. Photo credit: Alfred Yeung / Art UK

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Notes

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The concept for the monument is derived from Donne’s poetry. The main inscription around the top edge of the plinth is from 'Good-Friday, 1613, Riding Westward', lines 9–10. The inscription uses four of the letters within the text to mark the points of the compass around the circumference. The directions of the compass were important to Donne in his metaphysical work: east is the Rising Sun, the Holy Land and Christ; while west is the place of decline and of death. The plinth is based on the gothic moulding and proportions of a pillar from the crypt of Old St Paul’s. Within the bronze drapery on the right shoulder of the bust is a relief diagram of a flea and on the back of the left shoulder, in Donne’s handwriting, an inscription from the Verse 'Letter To Lady Cary And Mistress Essex Rich'.

Title

John Donne (1572–1631)

Date

2012

Medium

bronze & stone

Accession number

EC4M_AY_S034

Acquisition method

Alderman Robert Hall, and the City of London Corporation

Work type

Bust

Owner

City of London Corporation

Custodian

City of London Corporation

Work status

extant

Unveiling date

15th June 2012

Access

at all times

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Located at

Cannon Street, City of London

EC4M 9AE

Near the entrance to St Paul's Churchyard.