Eleanor Rigby Statue

The 1966 song by the Beatles, Eleanor Rigby, not only became something of an important departure for pop music in its day, but it also inspired at least one work of art in the Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool, England.

The bronze statue is displayed on Stanley Street in Liverpool not far from the Cavern Club where the young Beatles performed. It depicts a woman seated on a bench in a coat and headscarf with a handbag on her lap and a shopping bag on her right. Also on the bench is a discarded newspaper where a sparrow is pecking at a piece of bread, likely provided by the woman as she looks down at the bird. 

The statue is the work of Tommy Steele. It’s said that Steele sold the statue to Liverpool for “Half A Sixpence” but also made a donation of £4,000 towards its cost. 

The statue was unveiled in December 1982 by Steele. He also explained that he had placed several objects inside the figure, “so she would be full of magical properties.” These items were an adventure book, a page from the bible, a cloverleaf, a pair of football boots, and a sonnet.