Designed by William Kent in 1734, this monument is an exedra (literally "outdoor seat"). Scholars suggest that Kent may have had in mind an Italian model--a series of busts of Roman emperors in niches that form a small circle in the Garden of the Villa Brenzone.
Kent's monument contains niches for sixteen busts, eight in either wing, and a central oval niche for the head of Mercury. On the left are figures of contemplation: poets, philosophers, and scientists; on the right are figures of action: monarchs, statesmen, and warriors. Above each bust is an appropriate inscription.

Both the Temple of British Worthies and the Temple of Ancient Virtue are perhaps seen best from the vantage point of the other, where each is reflected in the water of the river. Ancient Virtue receives the morning light, British Worthies the evening. At sunset during the summer, by a trick of the light and the landscape, shadows fall across the busts in British Worthies from right to left, first across the figures of action and later across the figures of contemplation. It is as if Nature mimics Pope's lines from the end of The Dunciad: "Art after Art goes out, and all is Night."
faculty.bsc.edu/jtatter/worthies.html

Stephen

January 25, 2022

Impressive to see some women in the line up

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Elevation 160 m

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Location: Stowe, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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