King George I on Horseback
- Artist: John Nost II (d. 1729)
- Date made: 1717-1722
- Medium: Bronze
- The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
- Accession number: BIRBI-37.14
- Location: Near East Gate. To find this sculpture, you can either use its what three words location or use the campus digital map.
The City of Dublin commissioned this bronze sculpture from the Nost family workshop in 1717, and it was erected on a pier of the Essex Bridge there in 1722. At risk of destruction during the early years of Irish independence, it was acquired by the Barber Institute in 1937. It was placed in front of the building and is an important landmark at the East Gate of the university. George I is shown in modern armour, but with a classical laurel crown. It is modelled after the celebrated Roman bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome.
This large bronze sculpture depicts a male figure sat astride a horse. It is dark grey-green in colour and stands on top of a tall stone plinth, which is on top of a tiered, paved area within a lawn. The figure is sat up straight with its right hand holding the reigns of the horse. It is depicted wearing a crown made of leaves, has a cloak draped over one shoulder and armour visible on its upper arms, torso and legs. A short sword is holstered at its waist. The figure wears boots with heel spurs. The horse is depicted with its front left leg lifted as though in motion. It has a rectangular cloth across its back which is visible beneath the saddle. Its tail is carved in a very detailed way, looking almost curly which gives the appearance of movement.