Alberto Martinez's British Icons: A Visual Feast of All Things British: How Many Icons Can You Spot?
Big Ben, Concorde, and a century of British heritage brought to life in one magnificent canvas.
The Spirit of "British Icons"
Alberto Martinez’s British Icons is a vibrant, surreal homage to the cultural landscape of Great Britain, crafted with meticulous detail and affectionate wit over months of dedicated painting. Born outside the UK, Martinez ("El Flaco") captures the nation’s essence through the collective memories, stories, and cultural symbols shared by its people.
Set against a crisp, cloudless blue sky that maximizes negative space, the composition guides the eye in a deliberate left-to-right movement. At its heart stands the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben)—reimagined with Concord for a spire and a Bremont watch face for a clock—anchoring a bustling, cinematic London scene. The perspective draws the viewer directly onto the street, blending iconic architectural grandeur with surreal playfulness. Every element—from classic literature bound into structural pillars to nostalgic childhood figures—tells a story of British ingenuity, humour, and heritage.
Detailed Visual Breakdown: Key Elements & Icons
Architecture & Central Structures
- Concorde on Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower): The central anchor of the artwork features the supersonic airliner Concorde mounted as the spire atop the Elizabeth Tower, while the clock face is styled as a British Bremont wristwatch dial.
- Neoclassical Corner Building (Left): A grand classical building framing the left side, featuring stacked oversized books as structural columns (including titles like Hamlet and Folger Library).
- Crown-Topped Building: A building in the mid-ground crowned with a massive royal crown and orb, decorated with colorful Love Heart candies featuring sayings like "BUY ME" and "BE MINE".
- Harrods Facade: A section of the mid-ground building showing the luxury store logo and miniature window displays.
- Rolls-Royce Radiator Grill: Embedded into the mid-ground building facade just behind the Harrods section, featuring its signature vertical chrome slats and iconic bonnet ornament.
- Giant Vintage Suitcase Base: The yellow stone wall beneath Big Ben and extending along the right side is styled as a massive vintage travelling trunk/suitcase, complete with detailed brass locks, buckles, and leather straps.
Vehicles & Transport
- Aston Martin DB5: Positioned prominently on the street in British Racing Green with the license plate JB 007, paying tribute to James Bond.
- Thomas the Tank Engine: Engine No. 1 tucked neatly onto the street level on the left side.
- Classic Red Mini: Suspended playfully in mid-air on the right side of the street.
- Green Morris Minor Traveller: A classic wooden-framed car parked along the right street bank.
- Thunderbird 3 / Space Craft: A retro green rocket launching or hovering above a giant blue-and-white striped mug in the distance.
- Vintage Green Double-Decker Bus: Visible down the distant road just to the left of the giant tea mug.
- Learner "L" Plate: A classic red driving instructor "L" plate subtly tucked into the lower street arrangement near the Aston Martin.
Figures & Pop Culture Characters
- Lego Beatles (Abbey Road Walkers): Four Lego minifigures crossing a zebra crossing styled as a giant piano keyboard, mirroring the famous Abbey Road album cover.
- Queen Elizabeth II: Depicted in her iconic royal blue dress and hat, standing in an upper balcony alcove on the left building.
- Paddington Bear: Wearing his signature blue duffle coat and red hat, positioned on a ledge near the upper left.
- Tom Daley: A tribute to the local Devon Olympic champion diver, perched high on the upper-left balcony ledge in his trunks ready for a dive.
- Lego Figures & Royal Guard: A collection of Lego minifigures near the pavement, including a King's Guard in a traditional red tunic and tall bearskin hat.
- Dennis the Menace: Posing mischievously on the far-left pavement next to the Lego figures.
- The Clangers: The iconic pink knitted, long-snouted creature sitting atop a yellow space hopper on the right embankment.
- Doctor Who Dalek: Standing on the right side near the post box.
- Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men: The classic children's TV duo, complete with their terracotta flowerpot bodies and floppy hats, sitting together along the ledge on the right side with a tennis racket.
- Vintage Tin Wind-up Robot: Sitting on a ledge on the far-left building, between the cricket bat and the book spines.
Dogs & Animals
- Dexter (The Gallery Dog): The adorable little Yorkshire Terrier sitting proudly in the lower right foreground corner.
- British dogs: A pack of slender hounds walking together along the left pavement.
- Hummingbird: A vibrant hummingbird in mid-flight on the left, near a bright pink hibiscus flower. A nod to Alberto’s home country, Cuba.
- Robin: A classic European Robin perched atop an outdoor lamp post/pipe on the upper right.
- A Womble: Resting on the lower-left pavement alongside the dogs, the iconic white-furred, dark-nosed creature from Wimbledon Common sits looking out at the viewer.
Sporting & Everyday Cultural Icons
- Cricket Bat & Ball: A massive wooden cricket bat leaning against the left building facade, complete with a leather cricket ball at its base.
- Tennis Racket: A vintage wooden tennis racket resting near the figures on the right embankment (a nod to Wimbledon).
- Bottle of Stout/Beer: filled with dark stout and a creamy head standing on the far-right structure.
- Marmite Bottle: A large bottle of Marmite placed near the base of Big Ben.
- Giant Tea Mug & Scones: A huge blue-and-white striped tea mug in the background alongside a plate of cream tea scones with jam and cream.
- Fish & Chips: Wrapped portions of classic British fish and chips tucked near the street level on the left side.
Objects, Symbols & Details
- Yellow No. 9 Pool/Billiard Ball: Sitting prominently atop the roof balustrade of the top-left building.
Bring a Piece of Modern British Heritage Home
British Icons isn’t just a painting—it’s a living conversation, a celebration of shared heritage, and a treasure trove of moments that make us smile. Every glance reveals another subtle detail, from the roar of Concorde to the nostalgic charm of childhood favourites and iconic British wit.
Ready to find your own favourite details up close?
