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Joseph Chamberlain’s vision for the University of Birmingham was ‘a school of universal instruction, not confined to any particular branch of knowledge but taking all knowledge in its province.’ This is expressed in stone over the main entrance to the Aston Webb building in the frieze of nine life-size statues. From left to right are: Beethoven, Virgil, Michelangelo; Plato, Shakespeare, Newton; Watt, Faraday, Darwin. The figures represent great men from the worlds of art, philosophy, science and industry, each carrying an attribute or maintaining a pose reflecting his achievement. These guardians watch over every person who passes beneath, reminding us that the University is a living part of the tradition of European culture and learning.
University of Birmingham
Birmingham
Title
Architectural carvings of Beethoven, Virgil, Michelangelo, Plato, Shakespeare, Newton, Watt, Faraday and Darwin
Date
1907
Medium
stone
Accession number
BIRRC-A0565a-i
Work type
Relief
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TT England
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