In this photographic essay I'm sharing a collection of photos made in Australia's oldest park, Hyde Park, in Sydney. This 19 hectare park was first reserved by Governor Phillip in 1792 and proclaimed Hyde Park in 1810 by Governor Macquarie, who named it after the park in London. At first it was used to gather firewood and let animals graze, but then it was used for horse racing and cricket and eventually the beautiful design we see today was settled on in the mid 1920s. The Archibald Fountain was installed in 1932 and the Anzac Memorial in 1934.
:: Rand
The Archibald Fountain is located in Hyde Park North at the centre of Birubi Circle. French scuptor Francois Sicard was commissioned to create it as a commemoration of the association between Australia and France in World War 1. It is art deco in style and draws on Greek myths for its themes. The hexagon shaped fountain features a bronze Apollo at its centre, raised 6 metres into the air on a central pedestal. Behind him an arch of fine spray represents the rising sun, an art deco symbol of note. At his feet water sprays from horses' heads into three basins.
While the fountain honours an association forged in war, Sicard wanted peace to be the dominant theme. For him, Apollo, at its centre, was giving life to all nature. In turn, he is surrounded by three groups of figures; Diana bringing harmony to the world, Pan watching over the fields and pastures and Theseus conquering the Minotaur, which symbolised sacrifice for the common good.
The fountain is named after J. F. Archibald who made a bequest providing for an open-air memorial 'for the liberties of the world'.
This memorial to Australia's World War 1 soldiers was designed by Bruce Dellit and consists of an Art Deco ziggurat in red granite. The Pool of Reflection sits in front of the memorial along the line of the park's central avenue. Wondering what an Art Deco ziggurat is? A ziggurat is a terraced pyramid with each story smaller than the one below it and the art deco movement was inspired by their use in Ancient Mesopotamia.
The subtitle is borrowed from a line in Conrad Aiken's poem, The House of Dust.
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All images copyright Rand Leeb-du Toit, 2024
Thanks so much
Beautiful and interesting!