Historical information
Thomas Stoddart (1828 - 1905) bought 12 white marble statues during a visit to Italy. Stoddart arranged for them to be shipped to Victoria and placed on pedestals of Sicilian marble and on bases of Victorian granite. These statues were unveiled in the gardens on Queen Victoria's birthday, 24th May, 1884. His intention was for the statues to adorn and add interest to the gardens. Mercury is the messenger of the gods and is represented with a winged helmet and pouch.
Significance
The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballarat
Physical description
White marble figure shown with winged helmet and pouch.
Inscriptions & markings
Mercury
Subjects
References
- Ballarat Botanical Gardens - Statues
- The Stoddart Statues 1884 brochure detailing the Stoddart donation of statues made in 1884
- Photograph, Mercury statue, Botanical Gardens, Ballarat circa 1915 - Ballarat Library Collection
