Tooting Broadway Crossroads: Statue of Edward VII

Pencil & watercolour by Stephen Chaplin depicting a detail of the statue of Edward VII at Tooting Broadway and a drawing of five figures one of whom is at a cash register. Dated 29 and 30 June 1994.

This pencil and watercolour shows two unconnected scenes.

The principal artwork centres on the granite plinth of the statue of Edward VII outside Tooting Broadway underground station. The statue itself is not included, but it does show the king's name carved on one side of the plinth and the outline of the bronze plaque representing Charity on an adjacent side. Behind can be seen part of the London Underground roundel and a small fraction of the station's name. To the left are traffic lights, a lamppost and shops in Mitcham Road.

The statue was erected in 1911 following the popular king's death the previous year. It was unveiled to a large crowd by Councillor Archibald Dawnay, who was Mayor of Wandsworth from 1908-1919. It was paid for by public subscription and cost £715 6s 9d. It was sculpted in bronze by a L F Roselieb from Clapham Park and shows the king as Commander-in-Chief, standing whilst holding a field marshal's baton. It was originally positioned on the central island in the Broadway, but was moved in February 1994, about four months before the date of this painting. Since then it has stood in an enlarged space outside the station with the king looking towards London. The base of the plinth features two bronze plaques depicting Charity on the western side and Peace on the eastern. The structure is a grade II listed building.

The other picture is a small sketch with a red painted background showing people in the Housman Lounge, which is the Academic Staff Common Room at University College London. The artist's notes indicate that the figure on the left is his friend Eileen at the cash register.