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Physical Energy

London, Italy

Physical Energy

Physical Energy is a bronze equestrian statue by the English artist George Frederic Watts. Watts was principally a painter, but also worked on sculptures from the 1870s. Physical Energy was first cast in 1902, two years before his death, and was intended to be Watts's memorial to "unknown worth". Wa

tts said it was a symbol of "that restless physical impulse to seek the still unachieved in the domain of material things". The original plaster maquette is at the Watts Gallery, and there are four full-size bronze casts: one in London, one in Cape Town, one in Harare and one that will be sited at Watts Gallery – Artists' Village in Compton, Surrey. Other smaller bronze casts were also made after Watts's death.

Listen to the audio guide for Physical Energy Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

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