Statue of Robert Burns, life size, in white marble, by John Flaxman, RA (1759-1826) of York, who based his sculpture on the portrait by Alexander Nasmyth, depicting Burns addressing his lines 'To a Mountain Daisy'.
The sculpture was originally housed in the Burns Monument, Regent Road, for which it was commissioned by public subscription. In 1846, due to emissions from the gasworks below, it was moved to the University of Edinburgh Library, then to the Royal Scottish Academy in 1861 and then in 1889 to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Queen Street, where it is still on loan.
The statue represents Burns standing in front of a tree trunk, his hands crossed in front, the right hand holding a bunch of daisies, the left papers. A plaid is draped across his body and falls from the left shoulder. He is wearing knee breeches and low shoes. A broad bonnet with a thistle lies at his feet, beside a plough share. On the plinth is inscribed - 'Robert Burns. Born near Ayr 25th Jany 1759. Died at Dumfries 21st July 1796./ I. Flaxman: RA; PS. Sculptor London. Erected/ by subscription, originating at Bombay/ and warmly promoted in all parts/ of the British Empire'. Flaxman, the leading sculptor of the neoclassical movement in Britain, died before completing the sculpture; the work was completed by his brother-in-law Thomas Denman.
