Tour Scotland 4K Summer travel video, with Scottish music, of the Alexander Taming Bucephalus Statue in the quadrangle of the City Chambers on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit to Edinburgh, Britain, United Kingdom. On a stone pedestal is a bronze group of the rearing horse Bucephalus beside the standing figure of Alexander, who has his left hand stretched out to touch the shoulder of the horse. Alexander's right hand pulls at the implied reins. A great swathe of drapery flows with a diagonal sweep from Alexander's left shoulder over his advanced right leg, to curl in a mass beneath the horse's rear legs. This was the first major work by John Robert Steell, begun in 1829 soon after his return from Rome, Italy. It was also his last major work, as it was not cast in bronze till 1883. This was as a result of a Committee of Noblemen and Gentlemen raising funds. This committee of subscribers was formed under the convenorship of the Duke of Buccleuch. A contribution of 100 guineas came from the Town Council of Edinburgh in 1882, on condition that the statue was handed over to the Corporation on its erection. In 1883 a site in St Andrew Square, facing west along George Street, was granted. The statue was unveiled by the Lord Provost on 18 April 1884. In 1916 the statue was moved from St Andrew Square to the quadrangle in front of the City Chambers. Alexander the Great, born 356, died 323 BC, was king of Macedon and founder of Alexandria. The taming of Bucephalus occurred when Alexander was a young man. According to Plutarch, when the horse was brought before Alexander's father, Alexander noticed that Bucephalus was frightened of his own shadow, so turned him to face the sun. This sculpture, with the intention to display the predominance of mind over brute force, was by Sir John Robert Steell RSA born 1804, died 1891. He was born in Aberdeen but his family moved to Edinburgh around one year after his birth. He is best known for a number of sculptures displayed in Edinburgh. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. The date for astronomical Summer in Scotland is Tuesday, 21 June, ending on Friday, 23 September.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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