Piccadilly Circus, London [Large Plate] 1916

Jules de Bruycker captured Piccadilly Circus, London, in this print with etching and drypoint. Dominating the scene is the winged figure of Anteros atop the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. Commissioned to commemorate the philanthropic works of the Earl of Shaftesbury, this symbol is meant to represent selfless love. Yet, the choice of Anteros over his brother Eros is intriguing. In classical lore, Anteros embodies requited love and avenges unreturned affection. This figure, then, reminds us that love, even when given freely, seeks a response, a connection. Consider the statue's presence against the bustling backdrop of Piccadilly. The rain, rendered with a frenetic energy, echoes the dynamic yet ephemeral nature of urban life, and the figure of Anteros stands in contrast as a timeless representation of human desires. This interplay between the eternal and the fleeting stirs within us a deep, subconscious resonance. The symbol of love unreturned, perched above the chaos of modernity, speaks to the heart's enduring quest for connection, a quest that echoes through the ages.