Plazotta

In the summer of 1977 the South Field was covered with an exhibition of bronzes by renowned Italian-born British sculptor Enzo Plazzotta. The artist donated one work to the School and a poll of the pupils was duly held. They overwhelmingly voted for Jamaican Girl, but this was overruled by the governors, who felt a naked woman emerging from the surf was inappropriate. They chose L’Arrivee instead.  Cast in 1965, it represented an athlete breaking the tape as he crosses the finishing line.

It stood outside the old Headmaster’s study for almost two decades, and was occasionally subjected to end-of-term pranks with parts of it being painted.  Fortunately, no lasting damage was done.  It was subsequently relocated to the Loveday quad.