Classical Mythology at the Bank of England: Reading the Sculptural Programme

The sculptural decoration of the Bank of England is more than ornament. It is a visual language shaped by the myths of the classical world. Across façades, entrances, and architectural details, gods and allegorical figures were employed to communicate ideas about commerce, navigation, trust, wisdom, and national prosperity. This lecture examines the classical sources behind these works and considers why mythology remained such a powerful tool for expressing institutional identity in nineteenth and twentieth-century Britain.

Join Dr Monica A. Walker FRHistS, Engagement Manager at the Bank of England Museum, for an exploration of the myths, symbolism and stories hidden within one of Britain’s most iconic institutions.