PERSEUS ARMING DECK

Alfred Gilbert was 27 when the work was completed, and, it stands to reason, younger still when it began. It depicts Perseus at a similarly early stage in his career something like a mortal who had to look to his equipment and could well be read as an allegory of the artist’s own ambition.

Much of Alfred Gilbert’s work, including Perseus Arming and a model for Anteros, is currently on display at Tate Britain. Even more, thankfully, is on display at street level.