little easton 1928 ellen terry's memorial by gilbert

not her tomb, as her ashes are on stage in a silver casket in st.paul's covent garden [see shots on this photostream]. alfred gilbert was a nightmare for clients , could be years late producing work which whilst wonderful on occasion, could just as often be unfocused if not incomprehensible. he would with supreme egotism treat patrons as philistines, whilst taking their money and ignoring their wishes. time after time he refused to hand over or finish work, breaking contracts , destroying sculptures at the last moment, producing enormous unsuitable amorphous blobs, shielding himself with the aegis of the romantic artist. the inlays and bronze of this plaque are of dubious suitability for the purpose to which it has been put, and the labels would seem more fitting on a memorial park bench. terry had been a long time friend, though he may have begrudged her the adulation she received, as despite state recognition and royal patronage he constantly played the hard done by artist