Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade
Memorial to the International Brigade

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Vincenzo Albano / Art UK

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

The sculpture is abstract, with four figures supporting a wounded figure. With their free arms reaching over their heads, the supporters on both the left form an open palm; the supporters of the right, with their free arms, form a clenched fist, symbolising defiance. The sculpture represents 'in a most powerful and moving manner, the magnificent support the people of many nations gave to aid the Spanish people in their fight against fascism'. This sculpture is mounted on a South African ebony granite plinth. This memorial continues to be the focus of the International Brigade Memorial Day, held each year on the Saturday closest to 18th July, the day in 1936 when the military commanders in Spanish Morocco revolted and started to Spanish Civil War.
Title

Memorial to the International Brigade

Date

1983–1985

Medium

bronze resin, reinforced concrete & South African ebony granite

Measurements

H 183 x W 138 x D 113 cm;
Plinth: H 122 x W 84 x D 90 cm

Accession number

SE1_VA_S023

Acquisition method

funded by The International Brigade Memorial Appeal

Work type

Statue

Owner

The South Bank Board

Custodian

The South Bank Board

Work status

extant

Unveiling date

5th October 1985

Access

at all times

Signature/marks description

on read face, towards the bottom left: SCULPTOR + IAN WALTERS

Inscription description

inscriptions, cut into the stepped plinth and whitened; upper step, front face: INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE; lower step, front face: IN HONOUR OF OVER 2100 MEN & / WOMEN VOLUNTEERS WHO LEFT / THESE SHORES TO FIGHT SIDE / BY SIDE WITH THE SPANISH PEOPLE / IN THEIR HEROIC STRUGGLE / AGAINST FASCISM 1936-1939 / MANY WERE WOUNDED AND / MAIMED 526 WERE KILLED / THEIR EXAMPLE INSPIRED / THE WORLD; left face: “YET FREEDOM! YET THY BANNER, / TORN, BUT FLYING, STREAMS / LIKE THE THUNDER-STORM / AGAINST THE WIND”; right face: “THEY WENT BECAUSE THEIR / OPEN EYES / COULD SEE NO OTHER WAY”; rear face: THIS MEMORIAL UNVEILED BY / MICHAEL FOOT 5TH OCTOBER / 1985 WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY / THE SUPPORT OF MANY / DEMOCRATIC ORGANISATIONS / INDIVIDUALS AND THE / GREATER LONDON COUNCIL; then towards the bottom at the left: SCULPTOR + IAN WALTERS

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Located at

Jubilee Gardens, Lambeth

SE1 7PG

Located next to the children's play area.