The Horses of Helios
The Horses of Helios, also known as The Four Bronze Horses of Helios, is a bronze sculpture of four horses by Rudy Weller. It is one half of a commission installed in 1992 when the adjacent Criterion Theatre was refurbished. The other half, the Daughters of Helios or Three Graces, is a sculpture of three women leaping off the building six stories above.
The Horses of Helios comprises three bronze elements with dark patina: one pair of horses weighing approximately 4 tons, and two single horses. The four rearing horses appear to be bursting from the water of a fountain. It depicts Aethon, Eous, Phlegon, and Pyrois - the four horses of Helios, Greek god of the sun.The sculpture was installed in 1992 in a fountain under a canopy at the base of the building at 1 Jermyn Street, on the corner where Piccadilly meets Haymarket, near Piccadilly Circus in London. The building is adjacent to the Criterion Theatre, and was installed when the theatre was refurbished.
The Daughters of Helios or Three Graces depicts the three Charites - Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia - who in some accounts are the daughters of Helios and the naiad Aegle. The three female figures are made from gold-leaf-covered aluminium. They are installed at roof level, as if leaping off the 6th floor of the building immediately above the horses below.
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Comments
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Beautiful little fountain or occasionally wishing well (although the pennies sink through the grate at the bottom so you can’t see the wishes) and even triples up as a summertime hobo bath, so you get some nice bubbles if they’re lavish enough to buy soap, or lucky enough to find some! (Soap not provided by the beneficiaries of the wish funds)
a year ago -
The Four Bronze Horses of Helios is magnificent bronze sculpture by Rudy Weller, located in Piccadilly. It depicts the four horses of Helios, the Grek god of the sun, Aethon, Eos, Phlegon, and Pyrois. The sculpture is truly breathtaking, the sense of motion, the muscles of the horses straining with effort evokes an imagery of sheer power. It's the perfect place for tourists to get the all important postcard perfect photo.
3 years ago -
Its a wonderful bronze, equestrian statue...it encapsulates movement, these are real horses, held for moment for us to visualise their power and elegance...the water adds to the picture..its a lovely piece of work..a great place for a picture..and great idea to provide a medium for a simple small charitable donation..for a good cause..
2 years ago -
Saw a drunk girl singing 'The Horses' by Darryl Braithwaite while sitting on one of these statues one night... One of the top ten greatest moments of my time living in London.
8 months ago -
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Grand statue situated on the corner of a large building. Four galloping horses with a small water feature at the front.
2 years ago -
The Horses of Helios, also known as The Four Bronze Horses of Helios, is a bronze sculpture of four horses by Rudy Weller. installed in 1992 when the adjacent Criterion Theatre was refurbished. The other half, the Daughters of Helios or Three Graces, is a sculpture of three women leaping off the building six stories above.
a year ago -