Newton (Paolozzi)

Newton (Paolozzi) is a large-scale bronze sculpture by the Scottish artist Eduardo Paolozzi, completed in 1995 and installed outside the British Library in London. The sculpture is a three-dimensional representation of Isaac Newton, based on William Blake's 1795 print "Newton."

Blake's original print critiques Newton's focus on mathematical reasoning and empiricism, seeing it as a limitation to imagination and spiritual understanding. Paolozzi's sculpture, while referencing Blake, offers a more ambiguous interpretation. The figure of Newton is depicted naked, seated on a cubic form, and intensely focused on a compass, suggesting a pursuit of precise measurement and scientific inquiry. However, the fragmented and distorted nature of the bronze casting evokes a sense of unease and questions the absolute certainty of scientific knowledge.

The sculpture's placement outside the British Library, a repository of knowledge and learning, invites contemplation on the relationship between art, science, and human understanding. It encourages viewers to consider the impact of scientific progress and the role of imagination in the pursuit of truth. The sculpture's imposing size and dramatic presence make it a significant landmark and a popular subject of discussion and interpretation.