Scott Monument (Edinburgh, Scotland) : Overall context view in Princes Street Gardens, with Jenners department store and Princes Street in the background

Creator:

Kemp, George Meikle, 1795-1844

Published/Created:

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Princes Street Gardens
1840-1846

Physical Description:

61.11 m (height)

Materials:

white Carrara marble; sandstone

Notes:

After the death of Sir Walter Scott in 1832, plans were made for a commemorative monument in Edinburgh and several architects were asked to submit designs. The self-taught Kemp submitted his design under the pseudonym of John Morow, the medieval master mason of Melrose Abbey, and was placed third but subsequently won the competition with a revised design (1838). His Gothic monument was built in 1840-1846. The principal details of the design derive directly from Melrose Abbey, with other components from French Gothic sources. The Gothic details are archaeologically correct and brilliantly put together, giving a visually satisfying experience in the romantic surroundings of central Edinburgh. The monument has spiral stairs and viewing platforms to view Edinburgh. John Steell remained in Scotland in order to promote a native school of sculpture. He was created Sculptor to the Queen in Scotland and won an international competition with the seated figure of Sir Walter Scott, placed in the monument (marble, 1838-1846).

Variant Titles:

Monument to Sir Walter Scott

Topics:

Architecture -- Britain -- 19th century -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Gothic Revival
Nineteenth century
Victorian

Culture:

British

Accession Number:

1A1-TSM-SJS-A1

Coordinates:

+55.952417-3.193278

Genre:

architecture (AAT)
monuments (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

built works; monuments; visual works; sculpture (visual work) architecture; human figure; literary or legendary; Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832 ; authors; dogs

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Addition Module Seven

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4349

OID:

10468988

PID:

digcoll:1821323