Our statue of composer George Frederic Handel stands close to his grave in the south transept. The life-size statue, unveiled in 1762, is said to be an exact likeness as the face was modelled from a death mask. Behind the figure, among clouds, is an organ with an angel playing a harp. On the left of the statue is a group of musical instruments and an open score of his most well-known oratorio Messiah, composed in 1741. Directly in front of him is the musical score, 'I know that my Redeemer liveth'. The index finger of his left hand had been missing for a long time and a new one has recently been sculpted to replace it. Handel had signed a codicil to his will three days before his death in 1759 saying he hoped he might be buried in the Abbey and desired that his executor erect a monument for him. The funeral was attended by about 3,000 people and the choirs of the Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and the Chapel Royal sang the service. Mr Gordin was the Undertaker and George Amyand paid the fees for the service and lead lined coffin (£45 5s. 6d) while sculptor Louis Francois Roubiliac paid the £25 to erect the monument and 6 guineas to lay down a gravestone. #WestminsterAbbey #WestminsterAbbeyLondon #Handel #Museum30 #music #composer #memorial #statue