Letter from Gilbert Bayes to Gother Mann

Gilbert Bayes writes about the proposed placing of his two equestrian statues 'The Offerings of War' and 'The Offerings of Peace' outside the Gallery. He notes that the trustees have decided to move the bases of the statues away from the steps to the Gallery. 'From a sculptor's point of view', he writes, 'the alteration was to be regretted as the groups set at an angle as originally proposed, on the steps, with horses and riders looking slightly inwards, present the best view most usually towards the spectator; the plainer side of the groups being turned rather towards the wall. With the latest proposal, the front view of the groups will more constantly be seen; a view seldom the most interesting in an equestrian.' Bayes believes that the trustees have decided to move the bronzes because they want to locate the Shakespeare memorial by Bertram MacKennal directly in front of the Gallery.