Piccadilly Circus
- Artist: J. Oppenheimer
- Date: 1902
- Medium: Pastel on paper
- Dimensions: support: 381 x 274 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “Piccadilly Circus” by J. Oppenheimer, a pastel on paper from 1902. The work captures the frenetic energy around the statue of Eros that once dominated this junction. Horse‑drawn carriages weave through early motorised buses, while waves of pedestrians spill into the heart of the West End. On the left, the London Pavilion—built in 1885 as a variety hall—stands tall. By 1923 it was illuminated by giant electric billboards, and a decade later it was converted into a cinema. The drawing hints at the transition from horse‑power to petrol‑powered transport, a theme that repeats in many urban scenes of the era. A small model of the Eros statue is on display in the room, giving a tangible reference to the subject. This piece was acquired as part of the Oppé Collection, with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1996. It offers a snapshot of London life at the turn of the century, balancing mythic iconography with everyday bustle.
See it in person
Piccadilly Circus is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
