Statuary

One of the most striking features of the Italian Gardens is the pair of life sized Winged Horses which watch over Triton lake. They are made of zinc and form part of the family coat of arms. They were created by Professor Hugo Hagen in Berlin in 1869. The fountain in this dramatic lake is based on the fountain in the Piazza Barberini in Rome. Location: Italian Garden

These winged figures were created for the 7th Viscount in 1866 by Professor Hugo Hagen of Berlin from the design of the great German sculptor Rauch. Location: Italian Garden

These are two bronze copies of the well-known statues found at Herculaneum. They were bought by the 7th Viscount at Naples in 1883 from Massulli, a sculptor who specialised in bronze. Location: Italian Garden

Similar to sculptures at Versailles, this bronze group of children are of French design and the work of Marin. The two vases on each side, with Cupids facing each other, were bought at St. Petersburg. Location: Italian Garden

This is a fine group by the Swedish sculptor Molin. It represents two men who had won the affection of the same lady, and were fastened together with a strap to fight it out with daggers! This is a copy of the original which stands in front of the palace at Stockholm. Location: Italian Garden

This fountain was designed by Mr. Francis Penrose, architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. It features the figures of Eolus and the head of Apollo and was inspired by Lord Powerscourt’s visits to Rome. On it is inscribed the motto “Horas non numero nisi serenas” or “I count only the sunny hours.” Location: Italian Garden

These are two grand bronze figures of Aeolus and are a 17th century Italian work. They were part of a fountain group at the Palais Royal in Paris. They were sold by Christie’s of London to the 7th Viscount in 1872. Location: Italian Garden

The statues of Apollo Belvedere and Diana on the upper Italian terraces were bought in Rome by the 6th Viscount. Location: Italian Garden

The Laocoön is an enormous piece of sculpture based on a Greek legend. It was brought from Rome by the 6th Viscount. It stands on a single piece of granite which was quarried in Glencree. It took two weeks to move this on wooden rollers from Glencree to Powerscourt, with the Head Gardener at the time, Alexander Robertson seated on top issuing instructions! Location: Chorus Gate, Italian Garden

This memorial garden to Julia, the widow of the 7th Viscount Powerscourt, was designed by her son in 1931. The four busts are those of the four great Italian masters; Michael Angelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, and Benvenuto Cellini. These are copies of those at the Vatican and the work of Alexander McDonald completed in Rome in 1878. Location: Walled Garden

The Dolphin Pond gets its name from the central fountain which has a jet and dolphins spouting water up to 5 metres. It was brought from Paris by the 7th Viscount in the late 19th  century. It was once known as “The Green Pond” and is one of the oldest parts of Powerscourt Gardens, even appearing on a 1740 map of the estate as a fish pond. Location: Beside the Pets’ Cemetery

These are two bronze copies of the well-known statues found at Herculaneum. They were bought by the 7th Viscount at Naples in 1883 from the sculptor Massulli. Location: Walled Garden