Newton and the planets
Art celebrating science
A scientist who saw further by standing on the shoulders of giants now looks down on a ring a carved granite boulders in the piazza of the British Library.
Isaac Newton
The sculpture by Paolozzi outside the new British Library was inspired by William Blake's image of Sir Isaac Newton. The artist Eduardo Paolozzi (b. 1924) also designed the glass mosaics for Tottenham Court Road underground station.
Newton in London
Many places in London are linked to the life and work of Sir Isaac Newton. As well as being a scientist Newton became became Warden of the Royal Mint in April 1696.
It was towards the end of his life in April 1726 at his home in Kensington, that Newton told William Stukeley the falling apple story.
The planets
Here the planets are represented by a ring of eight granite boulders from Sweden each carved with the shape of a body embracing the stone. The artist is Antony Gormley better known as the creator of the Angel of the North.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 20 January 2007
