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. Stoddart's gift inspired the moves to make Ballarat a "City of Statues". Hercules was is one of the best-known heroes in Greek and Roman mythology. Hercules was renown for his great strength and courage, here he is depicted raising his mighty club and wearing a lion skin as a trophy.

Significance

The artwork is of aesthetic and historic significance to the people of Ballarat

Physical description

Marble figure of a man with raised club and wearing a lion skin around his loins

Inscriptions & markings

Hercules