“Hahn/ Cock” by Katharina Fritsch (2013) 

Earlier this week “Hahn/ Cock” by the German born sculptor Katharina Fritsch was unveiled on Trafalgar Square's 4th Plinth. The sculpture depicts a domestic farmyard cockerel in a vivid ultramarine blue. Made of Fibre glass and reinforced polyester resin it stands at 4.72 m/ 15f 5" high.

Even before it was installed it had ruffled a few feathers with the irony of having a cockerel, the national symbol of France, in a square which commemorates a British naval victory over the French.

Personally I love the historical connection of having a large bird by the site of the formal Royal Mews, although the birds housed there would have been birds of prey.

 My favourite view is of its tail feathers 

The 4^th Plinth was empty for many years as it was originally intended for a statute of William IV until they ran out of money. In recent years it has displayed contemporary artwork from internationally renowned artists on a temporary basis.

On the 4th Plinth to date have been:

Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn (2005 – 7)

Model for a Hotel by  Thomas Schutte (2007 – 9)

One & Other by Antony Mark David (2009)

Nelson's Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shonibare (2010 - 12)

Powerless Structures, Fig. 101 by Michael Elmgreen & Ingar Dragset (2012 –13)

Hahn/ Cock by Katharina Fritsch (2013 – Present)

Who is on the Other Three Plinths?

George IV (1738 - 1820)

This equestrian statute was commissioned by George IV in 1829 and originally intended to stand on top of Marble Arch, which was at that time located in front of Buckingham Palace. However the king died in 1830 before it was completed and it was placed in Trafalgar Square as a temporary measure and has remained there ever since. 

Major General Sir Henry Havelock (1795 - 1857)

Henry Havelock was a general in the British army. He saw action in the Burma War (1824 - 6), the first Afghan War (1839) and the Sikh Wars (1843 - 9). His monument was errected soon after his death and was the first to be based on a photograph. 

General Sir Charles Napier (1782 - 1853)

Charles Napier was also a general in the British army. He played a leading role in the Napoleonic wars and later was controversially involved with the Sind region of India.

The author of this blog is a qualified City of London and City of Westminster Tour Guide who leads guided walks combining world famous landmarks with hidden treasures often missed by the crowds.

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