Pro Patria bas relief by Sir Thomas Brock (original) (raw)

Pro Patria from the Bartle Frere Memorial

Sir Thomas Brock, K.C.B., R.A. 1847-1922

1887

Bronze

Victoria Embankment, London

• entire monument
  Photograph by Robert Freidus.
  Commentary by John Sankey.
  You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]

The seated female figure holds a palm (symbol of peace) in her right hand, while her left hand holds a sword with its point facing downwards (symbol of justice). This emphasises that Frere was not the warmonger depicted by his critics, but a defender of peace and justice. The shield has the words ‘Pro Patria’, stressing Frere’s devotion to his country.

Bibliography

Read, Benedict. Victorian Sculpture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1982.

Last modified 8 June 2015