Rutland will soon welcome a bronze sculpture of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the first memorial of its kind to be commissioned in England since the late monarch passed in September 2022. 

Hywel Pratley, a sculptor and artist, will be the creative talent behind the 7-foot-tall sculpture of Her Late Majesty, commissioned by Rutland's Lord-Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness.  

While not a Rutland resident, Mr Pratley is a regular visitor to the LeBlanc Foundry in neighbouring Melton Mowbray, and enjoys the beautiful surroundings in the Rutland and Leicestershire countryside.  

This is where Dr Sarah Furness first encountered Hywel's work, and approached him with the hopes of creating a permanent memorial for the late Queen.  

The scultpure will be located outside Rutland Library. Image credit: Jules Fuller / 66Media.

Despite bragging an impressive catalogue of study, work and exhibitions globally, from London to Florence, Hywel Pratley came to sculpting at the age of 28, when he took a sculpture evening class. 

Mr Pratley explained: "I came to sculpting quite late, having taken no Art classes between the ages of 13 and 28. I was inspired to change career from Secondary school English teacher, in my late twenties, when a local authority adult education evening class in Sculpture that I was attending brought me so much pleasure that I moved to Florence to study full time at the age of 31."

He added: "My interest in the human form stems from my belief that the greatest sculptures in history have been of this subject. Humans are beautiful creatures and it's fascinating to consider the elegance of a line or a form which pleases the eye as it describes our beauty." 

After graduating from The Florence Academy of Art Sculpture, one of the first independent projects undertaken by Hywel was a 3x life sized portrait bust of a friend and classmate, Astrid, which now sits in a lake in gardens just outside of Epping. 

Hywel's 3X life size protrait near Epping. Image credit: Hywel Pratley.

Hywel's love for crafting large sculptures, and sculptures in bronze, was consolidated, and he has since participated in many exhibitions.

This project, however, might be considered one of the most daunting for the London-based artist, who will begin creating his bronze likeness to the Queen as soon as the Lord-Lieutenant has raised the funds from local donors and Oakham Town Council.  

Hywel said: "I am very excited to be focussing on such a large work and fascinated to be spending so much time thinking about the late Queen. She was such an absolute presence in our lives, and yet I had never thought about her image in the way I currently need to. 

"Spending time and creative energy on recreating her likeness is highlighting for me how curiously dignified and how humble she always was. It sounds extraordinary to describe a Queen as humble, but her image remains a quiet and dignified presence in our culture, which reflects her own character, I believe. 

"Beyond that, the realisation that huge numbers of people will see my work standing in such a prominent position in Oakham is daunting and thrilling in equal measure! I hope that I can do the people of Rutland justice and create for them something which will sit harmoniously in its surroundings, bring pride in our Royal family and also enhance appreciation for the creative industries alive in our country."

He added: "I am pleased to be including a couple of corgis in the composition of the sculpture, to remind viewers of how much the late queen loved animals, to attract and to endear children who might otherwise not have paid too much attention to a large bronze sculpture."

In the meantime, Hywel will be continuing his role as a Councillor with The Society of Portrait Sculptors, working alongside a team of dedicated artists to curate their annual summer exhibition. 

This year they will be exhibiting for the second time in The Garrison Chapel, Chelsea Barracks at the invitation of The Prince's Foundation. 

Meanwhile in Rutland, the Lord-Lieutenant will continue her work raising funds to enable this unique project to go ahead. 

The team initially hoped to raise £125,000 for the sculpture but have been working together to reduce this cost. 

Donations of £5,000 or more will enable to donor to have their name, the name of a loved one, or a business name engraved into the plinth. Oakham Town Council have donated £5,000. 

Lord-Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness, said: "I am aware most of us can't afford £5,000, so what ever you can afford we will be very grateful." 

Those wishing to donate can do so via the Lieutenancy website where there is a Pay Pal Button or send a cheque marked 'Rutland Lieutenancy Fund' to:

The Old Vicarage

Whissendine

Rutland

LE15 7HG 

Alternatively, see more of Hywel Pratley's work online.