What Is The Fourth Plinth Of Trafalgar Square?

The Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square is very different from the other three – instead of

carrying a grey statue it always surprises one's eye with a contemporary sculptural piece, which

is changed every two years. But the question is – does the contemporary art sculptures fit into the

classical space of Trafalgar Square?

The Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square, built in the north-west corner, was designed by Sir

Charles Barry in 1841. It was intended, that it would hold an equestrian statue of William IV,

however due to insufficient funds the statue was never completed. The plinth stayed empty until

1858, when a statue of Edward Jenner was unveiled. Still, it was removed four years later due

protests by anti-vaccinationists.
Regarding the enormous public attention, the Mayor of London

began the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group (a commission of specialist advisers appointed

to guide the commissions for the Plinth) and since then the Plinth has been used as a location for

exhibiting specially commissioned works by contemporary artists.

After standing empty again for a few years, the Plinth was again open for exhibit in 2005,

when a controversial statue Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn unveiled. This has