Animal Sculptures that Celebrate the Special Relationship Between Animals and Humans
The relationship between humans and animals is something that inspires many artists. Sculptors like this bronze animal sculpture from https://www.gillparker.com are a fantastic tribute to the animals that we love – here are some famous sculptures that can be found in London that demonstrate the power of human and animal relationships…
Hodge the Cat
The writer Samuel Johnson who is known for creating the dictionary of the English Language in the 18th Century, was also a big cat lover, and his cat Hodge was treated like royalty. Johnson would often go to the fish market to collect Hodges’ favourite food – oysters, which is portrayed next to Hodge as a part of the sculpture.
The memorial sculpture of Hodge was created by Jon Bickley and he used his own cat as the model to create the likeness from! You can see the sculpture yourself at Gough square, the former residence of Johnson as well as his beloved Hodge.
The Highgate Hound
Found tucked away in the peaceful Highgate cemetery is the grave to the famed Victorian bare knuckle boxer Thomas Sayers. What is particularly special about this grave, is the large stone dog resting on the top of it. This is the much-loved dog, named Lion that belonged to the champion fighter, and upon his death even flowed along behind the coffin with the chief mourner himself. A tribute to the enduring and special relationship between a man and his dog.
Guy the Gorilla
London Zoo has many famous animal statues but perhaps the most well-known of these is that of the famous former resident Gorilla Guy. He was named for the date he arrived – bonfire night, and he soon became a firm favourite. With a gentle nature as well as his playful side, the giant ape was often seen carefully stroking birds before letting them go unharmed. Unfortunately, the public’s love of him was his downfall, and he died whilst undergoing tooth surgery – a result of eating too many sweet treats given to him by well-meaning public.
Winnie the Bear
The inspiration for the famous AA Milne favourite, Winnie the Pooh, another former resident of London zoo who has been immortalised in bronze with her former owner Lieutenant Colebourn. He gave her to the London zoo when he returned from fighting in the first world war, as he was unable to spend as much time with her as he would have liked. Winnie was the mascot for his battalion when he was fighting in France.
