Silenus
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A Bronze sculpture by Walter Marsden (1882 - 1969) depicting Syrinx, Pan and Silenus.
Signed W. Marsden 1928
In the long, Victorian narrative poem by Thomas Woolner titled 'Silenus' the nymph Syrinx, becomes the lover of Silenus, tutor to Dionysus. Syrinx is victim to the pursuit by Pan, and in her attempted escape drowns. As a result of the crime, Pan is transformed into a demon-like Satyr, whilst the lover Silenus is transmuted into a drunkard.
Syrinx was said to have been turned into reeds in the water with the help of water nymphs. The result was a haunting sound which inspired Pan to cut the reeds and fashion the first Pan Pipes.
Marsden served as an officer during WWI and was awarded a Military Cross for the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. He was later taken Prisoner at Cambrai and sent to a prisoner of war camp.
Following the war he resumed his studies and attended the Royal College of Art between 1919 and 1920 where Édouard Lantéri was one of his tutors.
Marsden carried out the sculptural work for the war memorial at St Annes on Sea in Lancashire. The Memorial was unveiled on 12thOctober 1924 depicting “The Contorted Soldier” and “The Mother and Child”.
From 1930 until 1941 Marsden was a member of the council of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, he became a Fellow of the society in 1938 and remained so until 1956.
Alongside his other commitments he became a full time instructor at Saint Martin’s School of Art in 1948
Artist: Walter Marsden (1882-1969)
Dimensions: H 32cm W 20cm D 9.5cm
Origin: French
Date: 1928
Item No: 1712193