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. In Greek mythology Leda was the wife of the king of Sparta who was seduced by Zeus in the guise of a swan.

Significance

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

Physical description

White marble figure of a woman holding a swan

Inscriptions & markings

Leda
Presented by Thomas Stoddart 1884