The Angel of Death is the title given to this monument of George William Lancaster and his wife Louisa Mary who died on this day in 1922.
In Sweet and Loving Memory of
George William
Lancaster
23rd January 1920
Aged 66 Years
'Love Lives Forever'
The
memorial was sculpted by Sydney March in Portland stone and Bronze and is a Grade II listed monument in East Sheen Cemetery. This work was influenced by North Italian tomb sculpture ~ especially Leonardo Bistolfi ~ and is considered one of the most significant examples of funerary sculpture.
The Lancasters were a north-country family who made their money in coal mining.
Their monument was described by Hugh Meller, author of London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide & Gazetteer, as 'arguably the most dramatic sculpture in any of London's cemeteries'. I have to admit that it is one of my favourites too.
Louisa Mary
Lancaster
Died
June 23rd 1922
'She Lived For Others'
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It is often said that truth is stranger than fiction and I recently found this very interesting article by Sheldon K Goodman about the relationship between George and his wife Louisa, whom he was not even married to, for the full story please continue to read his article..
Where is this statue?
ReplyDeleteEast Sheen Cemetery, London, UK
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