The Great Exhibition, 1851: Part of Pedestal to Monument of Frederic William III by Drake

Photograph of a model in plaster of a round pedestal for a statue of Frederick William III of Prussia erected by Berliners as token of gratitude for his improvements to the zoological gardens in their city. The model is half the size of the original. The pedestal is decorated in alto-relief with figures of various ages and sex enjoying themselves in the open air. The work was exhibited by Drake at the Great Exhibition.

This photograph is from Volume IV (RCIN 2800003) of ' Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851: Reports by the Juries on the Subjects in the Thirty Classes into which the Exhibition was Divided'. The incredibly successful Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, commonly known as the Great Exhibition, ran from May to October 1851. At the exhibition's conclusion, over 100 copies of the four volume 'Reports by the Juries' were distributed to foreign governments and notable participants. The reports consist of the juries' comments and assessments of the works displayed in the exhibition. The idea and decision to illustrate the reports with photographs is attributed to Prince Albert (1819-61).