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. The Greek goddess of eternal youth, Hebe, was famed for having the power to restore to age the vigour of youth and was cup-bearer to the gods.

Significance

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

Physical description

White marble figure of a woman holding a cup in one hand

Inscriptions & markings

Hebe/ Presented by Thomas Stoddart 1884