Bela Bartok Statue in Onslow Square

Bartok in London | Nearby | Statues in Britain

A life-size statue of the Hungarian composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945) stands in Onslow Square. The statue is a short walk from South Kensington underground station in London. The bronze statue on a granite base is the work of Hungarian sculptor, Imre Varga.

Bartok Statue in Onslow Square, London

Bartok in London

Bartok visited London on a number of occasions from 1922 on. His stayed at 7 Sydney Place in South Kensington, which was the home of Sir Duncan Wilson and Lady Freda Wilson at the time. A blue plaque at the house records his stays while performing in London.

Bartok is shown in the statue wearing a trilby and overcoat. There are other statues of Bartok by the same sculptor in Brussels, Budapest and Paris.

Bartok is considered one of the most important classical composers of the 20th century. His work is full of the rhythms of Hungarian folk music, which he studied, recorded and collected during his time in Europe. Bartok fled his native country for New York in 1940 to escape persecution by the Nazis.

Nearby

Onslow Square is close to The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Natural History Museum, Kensington Palace and Hyde Park – all of which are a short walk to the north.

Walk south to the Royal Brompton Hospital, Chelsea Physic Garden, and the River Thames.