Memorial to the Great Exhibition of 1851

Context view in front of the Royal Albert Hall (south side); Durham's most important commission was the Memorial to the Great Exhibition of 1851, which consists of a fountain surmounted by a bronze statue of Prince Albert and four figures representing the corners of the world. It sits in front of the Royal Albert Hall on the south side (Door 12). At Prince Albert’s insistence the profit from the highly successful Great Exhibition was used to purchase land in South Kensington, familiarly known as "Albertopolis". He produced the outline scheme for the area, in which developed a series of national museums and university institutions and the Royal Albert Hall. The statue of Albert surveys his creation. The monument is inscribed with statistics from the exhibition, including the number of visitors and exhibitors (British and foreign), and the profit made. Funds from the foundation are still used for art and science scholarships. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 6/14/2012