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Virtues - Defiance

Erection date: 25/11/1952

In front of the white cliffs of Dover Winston Churchill, in his signature siren suit, makes a fist with his right hand and a V-sign with his left, defying the swastika-shaped monster. And can we see some blue birds along the cliff tops?

This panel is at the centre of the floor.

Site: National Gallery - Anrep mosaics - Virtues (15 memorials)

WC2, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery - Staircase Hall - North Vestibule

See National Gallery - Anrep mosaics - Muses for general information about these mosaic floors.

The 1954 'Modern Virtues' is in a style very different from that of the earlier 'Muses' floor, with scenes depicted inside frames which carry each scene’s title. These panels appear to be laid on a mosaic floor with a geometric pattern, on which autumnal leaves have fallen – trompe l'oeil in mosaic.

This 'Modern Virtues' floor was gifted (which we take to mean funded) by Maud Russell and opened on 25 November 1952.

To avoid database clutter we have put the Creator links on just the page for the Anrep panel.

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Virtues - Defiance

Subjects commemorated i

Winston Churchill

Prime Minister 1940 - 45 and 1951 - 55. Born Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock,...

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This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Virtues - Defiance

Also at this site i

Virtues - Anrep

Virtues - Anrep

Carved at the top of the gravestone is a portrait of Anrep himself. The image...

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Virtues - Compassion

Virtues - Compassion

Anna Akhmatova, looking towards Anrep's gravestone (in another panel) and sur...

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Virtues - Compromise

Virtues - Compromise

We initially thought this odd scene may refer to one of Loretta Young's films...

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Virtues - Curiosity

Virtues - Curiosity

Lord Rutherford wears a coronet - he had been raised to the peerage in 1931. ...

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Virtues - Delectation

Virtues - Delectation

In a formal garden Margot Fonteyn sits demurely listening to Edward Sackville...

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Nearby Memorials

Pamela Colman Smith

Pamela Colman Smith

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We learnt about this basement fireplace at Atlas Obscura. On our first visit we were told the space was not currently accessible to the ...

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London Bridge alcove at Guy's Hospital

London Bridge alcove at Guy's Hospital

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{On a nearby modern plaque:} The London Bridge niche. Portland stone. The stone niche was purchased by Guy's Hospital for 10 guineas and ...

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The original entrance was demolished in 1926 and replaced with this little tower.

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South Bank mosaic - Bella Burge

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Norwood Grove bird bath - rim

Norwood Grove bird bath - rim

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The initial 'In' has been lost but we think it must have been there.

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Previously viewed

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{Carved in the marble surface at the back:} Erected to the memory of H. Hayhill by his friends in HM Exchequer and Audit Dept. 1882.

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Rifleman Benjamin John Furniss

Rifleman Benjamin John Furniss

Benjamin John Furniss was born on 1 February 1879 in Marylebone, Middlesex (now Greater London), one of the ten children of Benjamin John Furniss (1847-1913) and Ellen Martin Furniss née Grearson (...

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Charles M. Dixon
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Stella Newton

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A. Mitchell
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