The artist behind Bath Riverside’s Hershel Chairs has created a new piece of permanent artwork for the development’s Elizabeth Park, as a tribute to a local unsung hero.
The bronze sculpture, which takes the form of a two-seater chair, is in tribute to unsung hero Leonard Jenyns (1800 –1893).
Jenyns, a Victorian clergyman and naturalist in Bath, turned down a voyage on HMS Beagle and instead recommended naturalist and biologist Charles Darwin to take his place.
The artwork commemorates Jenyns’ influence on Darwin, whose five-year voyage on HMS Beagle in the early 19th century lead to what would become the foundation of evolutionary biology, ‘On the Origin of Species’.
Bath artist Patrick Haines created the Jenyns Seat in the same style as his previous Herschel Chairs, which were in tribute to astronomers William and Caroline Herschel who are credited for the discovery of Uranus in 1781.
The sculpture forms part of the Bath Riverside art strategy which includes stone carvings, bronze sculptures, window etchings and more.
Mr Haines said: “I feel honoured to be asked to create another piece of work for the Riverside development. I wanted to continue with the theme of connecting the artwork to Bath’s history.
“I believe the chair represents the sharing of ideas between Darwin and Jenyns and is somewhere for people to sit and contemplate their important work.
“Jenyns moved to a house near Bath in 1850 due to his wife’s ill-health and he is buried at Lansdown Cemetery, so a commemoration to his memory in Bath is fitting.”
Jenyns’ collections of books, research and correspondence with Darwin is now the property of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) in Queen Square, and is open to be viewed by the public.
Betty Suchar, Chair of Directors at BRLSI, added: “BRLSI is very pleased that Crest Nicholson is supporting a tribute to Leonard Jenyns, a prominent member during the 19th century.
“In celebration of his many contributions, BRLSI has named a room at Queen Square in his honour and published a book in 2005, Leonard Jenyns Darwin’s Lifetime Friend, which drew on the extensive correspondence between Darwin and Jenyns contained in the BRLSI collection.”
Peter Dickinson who overlooks Bath Riverside’s art strategy on behalf of Crest Nicholson, said: “Leonard Jenyns is, unknown to most, behind the success of Darwin’s discoveries. Patrick has done a fantastic job at capturing Bath’s history in contemporary art for us to enjoy.
“With this addition to Riverside, the development is adopting an artistic theme which is proving to be unique to the city.
“With a mix of artworks like the Maid of The Bridge, chain-link bench and Herschel Chairs, the Jenyns Chair will make a great contribution to the park.”
The Jenyns Seat was officially unveiled at the opening of Elizabeth Park last Friday, 26th July.
