Tuesday 20 September 2016

Hyde Park, Archibald Fountain

The Archibald Fountain is an art deco style fountain in Hyde Park, near College Street, designed by French artist Francois Sicard and unveiled on 14 March 1932. The fountain is named after J.F. Archibald, owner and editor of The Bulletin, a newspaper which later became a magazine that encouraged writers to write about Australia. He bequeathed funds to build it to commemorate the association of Australia and France in World War I. The fountain features mythological characters of ancient Greece. The central pedestal features a bronze sculpture of Apollo with the fan-like shape of water formed by jets rising behind it, representing the rising sun. There are three granite plinths radiating from the central pedestal featuring the following bronze sculptures: Artemis, the goddess of the wilderness, the hunt, wild animals and fertility depicted here with a bow, a deer and hunting dogs. Jason with the Golden Fleece and the good things of the earth. Theseus slaying the Minotaur which represents the sacrifice for the good of humanity. The large basin is decorated with six tortoises which throw jets of water.
Today marks the ten year anniversary of the first photo I posted on this blog which was also a photo of this fountain which can be seen here. To celebrate, I returned yesterday for another look at the fountain; this time with St Mary's Cathedral as a backdrop.

24 comments:

  1. Love the fountain, Jim! Congrats on your 10 years of blogging!!

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  2. Congrats on a decade of blogging. Sure is an impressive fountain.

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  3. What a beautiful place and great photo ~ fascinating history too ~

    Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

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  4. Beautiful blue skies with you Jim - it's been rather wet here in Melbourne. Where were you at Problogger?! Shame I was looking for a familiar blog-face! :)
    Have a great week
    Wren x

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    1. Wasn't aware of Problogger until now, Wren. You'll have to let me know about future events.

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  5. Ten years is a great effort and you can take some pride. I've seen the fountain a couple of times and it is just wonderful.

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  6. I often pause by that fountain, but didn't know it's history. Congratulations on 10 years :)

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  7. What a great idea - to celebrate your blogging anniversary with a shot of the same place. Does it look any different today, I wonder.

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  8. What a creative way to celebrate your milestone in blogging. Wonderful. Love the grand design of this iconic fountain.

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  9. Thanks for all your kind words, everyone. :)

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  10. You really know your subjects, Jim...a travelogue with every photo. I'm only recently back to blogging, but I remember you and your photos.
    Kay
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travels

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  11. Thank you for visiting me! Last week I discovered wordpress put several of my contacts in the spam folder, and yesterday you were one of them. When I "approved" your comment, then it disappeared! Hope this wasn't why you couldn't link for SEASONS in the last month.
    With my blog, I tried to send you a direct link in my comment to you, but can't get through with open ID, only with my user name.
    You are missed at SEASONS, and hope to see you back soon (the link is still open from Sunday - Wednesday).Couldn't tell if you know my new blog url
    artworks from Jesh StG (dot) wordpress. Without the spaces, and an http. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Jesh, I keep missing the window that your linky is open.

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  12. This piece has some terrific history to it. And, it's beautiful as well.

    Your blog always makes me feel a bit like I have read a Rick Steves post. I happen to love Rick Steves.

    Lisa @ LTTL

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  13. A wonderful photo Jim & great composition with St Mary's Cathedral in the background. It sure is a spectacular fountain

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  14. I have wonderful memories of taking our kids to Hyde Park when they were toddlers, they're all in their 30's now. We'd always take some bread as they loved to feed the pigeons & seagulls.

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  15. Fancy place! Congrats on your blogaversary!

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  16. Beautiful church! I love the round window over the door.

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Thanks for visiting my blog. Please leave me a message. Jim.

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