Queen Victoria (1819-1901)

Category: Statue

Queen Victoria (1819-1901)

A few paces south from the statue of Peel, stands this equestrian statue of Queen Victoria. Victoria was Queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death in 1901. This statue commemorates the visit of Queen Victoria to Glasgow on August 14th 1849, as is marked on the east side of the plinth. The sculpture was made by Baron Carlo Marochetti (1805-1867) and was moved from Charing Cross to its present position in 1864. The mounted figure of Victoria is facing west, and she rides sidesaddle, which was customary for women at that time. She wears a crown and carries a staff in her right hand. On the south face of the plinth, a frieze shows Victoria knighting a Naval Officer. On the north face, another bas-relief shows a scene of civic and religious figures welcoming the Queen to the city.