Above three sets of dark wooden double doors which are the main entrance to the Aston Webb Building there are nine figures carved in stone. Each is set within its own carved recess with a curved ceiling. The group is broken up by two columns which occur after every third figure. Under each figure a name is inscribed in the stone and the inscription is also gilded.
Left hand block of three.
To the far left stands a carved figure representing Beethoven which is inscribed beneath it. It wears an ankle-length double-breasted coat, dress shoes and has swept back hair. Its face looks ahead and is tilted downwards. Its arms are folded across its chest with the right hand above resting below its chin and the left hand beneath holding a partially unravelled scroll to its side.
Second from left stands a carved figure representing Virgil which is inscribed beneath it. It wears a floor length robe, a laurel crown and has bare feet. The face looks off to its right so is viewed in partial profile. Its right arm is obscured under its robe and in its left hand there is tightly rolled scroll.
Third from left stands a carved figure representing Michelangelo which is inscribed beneath it. It wears a smock which ends mid-thigh with a belt around the waist and has long sleeves. It has short cropped, curly hair and a full beard and moustache. The face looks straight down towards the right. Its right hand clasps a pick to its chest and in its left hand it holds a square mallet. In the background to the right behind the figure’s legs a half formed male figure is partially carved into what looks like rough-hewn stone.
The run of figures is the broken by a block of stone carved at the top and plain down the centre to represent a pillar.
Central block of three
First from left stands a carved figure representing Plato which is inscribed beneath it. It wears a floor length robe, has a partially bared chest and has bare feet. It has short cropped straight hair and a short-cropped beard and moustache. It looks down towards the right. Its right arm is held at its side and is pointing downwards. Its left arm is bent at the elbow and held perpendicular with its chest with the hand gripping the side of the upper edge of the recess.
Second from left stands a carved figure representing Shakespeare which is inscribed beneath it. It wears a calf length cape held around its neck by a chain across the throat. Beneath this is a waistcoat over a long-sleeved shirt with billowing upper sleeves. The billowing material appears to protrude again below the waistcoat over tightly fitted leggings. On its feet are loafers. It has longish curly hair at the side of its head, with no hair on top. It has a pointy, shaped moustache and beard and looks straight ahead. Its right-hand rests at its side with the hand touching an area carved to look like draped fabric. Its left hand is clasped to its chest.
Third from left stands a carved figure representing Newton which is inscribed beneath. It wears a floor length gown with visible socks and loafers on its feet. There is an ornate ruffled scarf at its collar running down to its mid-chest. Its hair is long, parted in the middle and curls at the ends. Its face looks off to the left. Its right arm is held bent upwards, perpendicular to the chest, and in its upright palm is a small globe-shaped instrument. Its left arm is tucked behind its back and its hand is not visible.
The run of figures is the broken by a block of stone carved at the top and plain down the centre to represent a pillar.
Third from left stands a carved figure representing Watt which is inscribed beneath. It wears a knee dress jacket with a pointed colour done up at the top button, waistcoat and knee-length dress trousers are visible beneath. It has loafers with square buckles on its feet. Its hair is mid-length, swept back and curls slightly at the ends. Its face is visibly furrowed in the brow area, has drawn cheeks and looks down to the right. Its right arm is held bent upwards, close to the chest, and in its hand is a small instrument with visible cogs. Its left arm is down at its side. Its left hand rests on what appears to be the edge of a table, with Watt carved downwards into the table leg in capital letters. What appears to be a rolled piece of paper is pressed between the table leg and the figures leg.
Second from left stands a carved figure representing Faraday which is inscribed beneath it. It wears a floor-length academic robe with a suit visible beneath and laced shoes. It has short curly hair parted in the middle. It looks down towards the left. Its left arm is bent at the elbow and held perpendicular with its chest with the hand resting on the side of the upper edge of the recess. Its right arm is held at its side with its hand pressed onto the surface of what appears to be a piece of paper resting on a stone tableau. Faraday is carved down the length of the tableau.
Third from right stand a carved figure representing Darwin which is carved beneath. It wears a waist length cape, and a button up calf-length coat. Under the coat appear to be suit trousers and smart laces shoes. It has no hair on top, cropped straight hair to the sides and a long full beard and moustache. Its brown is lightly furrowed and the whole face is wrinkled with age. It looks straight on and downwards. Its left hand is clasped to its chest and holds what appears to be a rose or other type of flower. Its left arm is held in a relaxed pose at its side and loosely holds a book in its hand.