London's most famous empty pedestal was never meant to be a blank canvas

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Trafalgar Square's northwest plinth sat vacant for over 150 years because of a simple lack of funds. Designed in 1841 to hold a statue of William IV, the site became a lightning rod for debate, eventually evolving into a high-profile, rotating stage for contemporary art rather than a permanent monument.

The fourth plinth was designed by Sir Charles Barry and completed in 1841. While the square's other three corners feature permanent statues—including George IV on the northeast side—the northwest corner remained bare. For over a century, this empty space sparked intense public and political discussion regarding its purpose. In 1998, an arts organization initiated a project to display temporary sculptures, a move that proved successful and led to a formal recommendation for a rolling program of rotating artworks.

When the Greater London Authority took control of the square, it established the Fourth Plinth Commission to manage this evolving space. The site has since become one of the most visible platforms for public art in the city. Despite this, the idea of a permanent statue remains a recurring subject of debate. Various figures have been proposed for the spot over the years, including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II, and Alan Turing. These suggestions highlight the tension between using the site for contemporary creative expression versus traditional memorialization.

The site's high profile has also invited unofficial use, ranging from unauthorized publicity stunts by commercial brands to humorous suggestions like a statue of Moby-Dick. Today, the plinth is managed by the Mayor of London’s culture team, supported by a group of specialist advisers. Beyond the art itself, the project now includes an educational component, the Fourth Plinth Schools Award, which encourages London students to engage with the creative history of the pedestal. What began as a financial failure has transformed into a dynamic, contested, and celebrated landmark.

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