Father Charles Gordon

Artist Alexander Brodie (Banff, Scotland, c.1829 - 1867)

Date1858

Object NameSculpture

ClassificationsSculptures

CopyrightOut of copyright

Object numberABDCC001094

About MeSituated within the front court of St. Peter's R.C Primary School, Kings Street, stands the full-length figure of Father Charles Gordon; dressed in a surplus, pressing his palms together in prayer.

Father Charles Gordon opened St. Peter's R.C School, Constitution Street in 1833 and it was here that the statue was originally sited. Alongside opening St Peter's school, Father Charles Gordon also opened the College of Saint Mary with the aim to educate young men who were destined for the Church.

The sculptor Alexander Brodie (1829-1867) created the piece in 1859, just a year after his return to Aberdeen from Edinburgh. During his time in Edinburgh, Alexander Brodie had studied under Robert Scott Lauder (1803-1869) at the Trustee's Academy. Brodie used the local medium of granite to execute the statue of Father Charles Gordon, which stands upon a plinth of granite blocks. Brodie created other sculptural pieces for the city and for neighbouring towns such as Huntly.