Statue of James II

The statue of James II stands in the front garden of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. It is a bronze sculpture showing the king as a Roman emperor in armour and a laurel wreath. The work was produced in the workshop of Grinling Gibbons but is now thought to be by the Flemish sculptors Peter van Dievoet and Laurens van der Meulen. It was first erected in 1686 at the Palace of Whitehall, only two years before James II was deposed. The statue has been moved several times since then. The statue is worth the journey because it is one of three Stuart monarch statues commissioned by royal servant Tobias Rustat in the 17th century. It cost £300 to make, a large sum at the time. The inscription on the plinth names James II as king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland. Art historian J. P. Malcolm praised its muscular detail and drapery in 1803. The statue is now listed as a Grade I building by Historic England. Visitors find the statue standing in a contrapposto pose, pointing downwards with a calm expression. The face is said to be an excellent likeness of the king. The plinth carries a Latin inscription recording the year 1686. The statue’s history includes stays at Whitehall, Gwydyr House and the Admiralty. It now stands in the National Gallery’s garden, close to the busy square.