Drama Ancient and Modern, Royal Opera House, London
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Team Sieni
N 51° 30.811 W 000° 07.335
30U E 699674 N 5710858
Frieze by John Flaxman, depicting drama ancient and modern on the Royal Opera House.
Waymark Code: WMC6JB
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/01/2011
Views: 12
This frieze, by John Flaxman, dates back to 1809 and has an interesting history.
The frieze was originally part of the Theatre Royal, designed by Sir Robert Smirke on this site. This was burnt down in 1856, and only the frieze and statues by Flaxman were salvaged. The frieze was incorporated (along with the statues) into the E. M. Barry's Royal Italian Opera House which replaced it on the site in 1858. [1,2,3]
The frieze depicts Aeschylus and Aristophanes representing ancient Greek drama, and Shakespeare and Milton representing modern drama, with characters from their works[1].
It is made from Coade stone. This is an artificial stone that is very resistant to weathering and, it would seem from the events of 1856, to fire. The most well known example of Coade stone is the W.F.Woodington's lion on Westminster Bridge (see WM3Z26).
References
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British History Online
Covent Garden Theatre and the Royal Opera House Buildings
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Royal Opera House
Flaxman Frieze and Statues
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Victorian Web
Covent Garden (Royal Opera House)