PUBLIC ART IN SHEFFIELD
Onslow
Ford
‘Science and Art’, 1876-99
Firth College, Leopold Street and West Street
(Listed Building: Grade II)
stone
There are plans to redevelop this building, the future
of this work is uncertain
Location:
Firth College, entrance facing the junction of Leopold Street and West Street, S1. (A-Z p4 3D)
Description:
Two triangular reliefs either side of a curved door. The right hand relief
shows two cherubs talking to each other on an early version of a telephone
on either side of the naked figure of Science. The figure of Art, holding
a chisel and mallet, has a cherub at her feet holding a palette and brushes
and another at her left shoulder holding a diminutive mallet and chisel.
Between the latter and Art is a head in relief of an unidentified bearded
man.
Commission:
Presumably Sheffield City Council’s Education Department. The architects
were by E.R Robson of London and T.J Flockton of Sheffield.
Comment:
The telephone is a reference to the Telephone Exchange (now Steel City House)
opposite.
About the artist:
F. Onslow Ford (1852-1901) was also the sculptor for the monument to Sir
Rowland Hill, now in King Edward Street, London, outside the main
General Post office.
