The large piazza in front of the British Library includes a large bronze sculpture of Sir Isaac Newton by Eduardo Paolozzi, inspired by William Blake's 1795 study Newton. As with the Blake original it illustrates how Isaac Newton's equations changed our view of the world to being one determined by mathematical laws. Several of Newton's most significant scientific papers are preserved in the Library's collection.
From the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences "Paolozzi's Sculpture of Isaac Newton":
The maquette of Paolozzi's sculpture is based on a sculpture commissioned for the new British Library at St Pancras. Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924 - 2005) gave it to the Institute. The choice of Blake's engraving of Newton as the model for the sculpture caused some controversy, as Blake was known to be deeply anti-scientific and displayed profound antagonism to Newtonian rationalism. Paolozzi was inspired by the union between two British geniuses, both representing nature, poetry, art, and architecture. Rodin's famous sculpture also springs to mind. Paolozzi decided that this synthesis of concepts would be ideal for the new British Library.
Rachel Huddart, writing for the British Library's Science blog:
When I started work at the Library, Newton’s statue struck me as a strange way to honour one of our greatest scientists. He doesn’t stand proudly over the piazza, gazing out at the visitors, but is bent over his compass, seemingly oblivious to everything around him. There isn’t even any sign of the famous apple. Surprisingly, the sculptor who created the statue, Eduardo Paolozzi, used a picture that criticises Newton as his inspiration. William Blake’s study of Newton, which is on display in Tate Britain, shows Newton sitting on a rock, absorbed in his work and ignorant of the colour and beauty on the rock that he sits on. The print is believed to show Blake’s disdain for Newton’s scientific thinking at the expense of nature and creativity. Paolozzi saw the work as a connection between the arts and science and between two great historical figures, despite their differences.
This is a striking and iconic sculpture which is truly representative of a great shift in human thinking. I love that it is both beautiful and thought-provoking even with the context removed; it simultaneously depicts man as animal, as well as capturing the act of thinking itself - perhaps even of understanding.
