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Cenotaph

Original image by Sarah Epps

The Cenotaph

Artist Richard Oliver Gross
Year
Location On the corner of Bowen St and Lambton Quay
Tour directions From the two Pou Whenua walk back along Lambton Quay. The Cenotaph won't be missed on the corner.

Grandeur

Gross started on the bronze figure on horseback in his set up in Auckland, but it was too big. He had to work on it in England for 18 months.

Sculpture background

The Wellington cenotaph, also known as the Wellington Citizens' War Memorial, is a war memorial. Commemorating the New Zealand dead of World War I, and World War II.

It was unveiled on Anzac Day (25 April) 1931. The two wings are decorated with relief sculptures, the large obelisk in the middle is topped with the bronze figure on horseback, Will to Peace (1932). Two bronze lions and a series of bronze friezes were later added in commemoration of World War II, both made by Gross.

The memorial is a focus of Anzac Day commemorations in the city.

In a gesture of hope and strength, the youthful rider stretches his right arm skyward.