Historical information

This bust was commissioned and made in the years before Holroyd's retirement from the bench. It is not known precisely when the bust entered the Library collection or the circumstances of its execution and commission.
Justice Holroyd (1828-1916) was a judge of the Supreme Court for 25 years, after a successful career at the bar.
Charles Web Gilbert (1867-1925) was a largely self taught sculptor, only tackling the medium of marble in the years before World War One. After the war he made a number of War Memorials, but his best known work is his statue of Matthew Flinders, the explorer, in Swanston Street.

Significance

The portrait of Justice Holroyd is of interest as an unusual depiction and commemoration of a Judge. It is notable as a work by the distinguished Australian sculptor Charles Web Gilbert.

Physical description

Marble portrait bust of Justice Edward Holroyd. The bust is made of white carrara marble. The pedestal is made of rouge marble. The bust is slightly larger than life size. The head is finely detailed, Holroyd is shown wearing contemporary clothing, but the detail is less fine, than for the head and beard.

Inscriptions & markings

The bust is signed and dated 1901