Archibald Fountain

The Archibald Fountain, properly called the J.F. Archibald Memorial Fountain, widely regarded as the finest public fountain in Australia, is located in Hyde Park, in central Sydney, New South Wales. It is named after J.F. Archibald, owner and editor of The Bulletin magazine, who bequeathed funds to have it built. Archibald specified that it must be designed by a French artist, both because of his great love of French culture and to commemorate the association of Australia and France in World War I. He imagined its civic design and ornamentation developing to rival his dream city Paris. The artist chosen was Francois Sicard.

The fountain was unveiled on 14 March 1932 by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Samuel Walder.

Classical tradition

Sicard was one of the foremost sculptors of his day, a classically educated artist, whose inspiration was derived, at least in part, from his study of classical Greek and Roman art and literature. In submitting his proposal for the design of the sculptural groups, Sicard wrote: "Apollo represents the Arts (Beauty and Light). Apollo holds out his right arm as a sign of protection, and spreads his benefits over all Nature, whilst he holds the Lyre in his left hand. Apollo is the warmth which vivifies, giving life to all Nature. At the touch of his rays, men awake, trees and fields become green, the animals go out into the fields, and men go to work at dawn.

"The ancient Pliny adored the sun, symbol of Life. It is on this account that I wished this figure to be the chief one in the memorial.

"At Apollo's feet the star of day is indicated by a semicircle, of which the rays spread out in jets of light (the rising sun). The horses' heads represent the horses of Apollo's chariot. Out of their nostrils the water will fall into the first basin, to fall from there into the second, and run away into the large basin.

"The large basin is divided into three groups. One represents Diana, goddess of purity, of peaceful nights, symbol of charity; the ideal which watches over mortals - all that stands for poetry and harmony. The second group symbolises the good things of the earth - it is the young god of the fields and pastures, of the pleasure of the countryside. The third group represents sacrifice for the public good. Theseus, vanquisher of the Minotaur. The spirit triumphs over bestiality. Theseus delivers his country from the ransom which it had to pay to this monster. It is the sacrifice of himself for the good of humanity. Between these groups tortoises throw jets of water. The fountain is electrically illuminated and floodlighted at night.

"It depicts Apollo, representing beauty and the arts, on a central column holding out his right arm as a sign of protection over all nature. On the three plinths radiating from the central column there are figures representing Diana, the goddess of purity; a group representing the good things of the earth; Theseus slaying a Minotaur, representing the sacrifice for the good of humanity."

Interestingly, Sicard quotes Pliny as one of the ancient Roman sources for the modern understanding of the qualities supposedly represented by the gods. Rather than merely using the visual examples of works such as those by Pheidias, the iconic sculptor of classical Athens, whose free standing and frieze statuary represent the acme of the classical depiction of the human form in larger-than life bronze or marble, Sicard used literary sources to explain the symbology behind the form. The figure with the ram and goat is possibly Aristaeus.

His choice of classical figures was in keeping with the European tradition of the sculpture and architecture of the precinct of Hyde Park. There is no indication in the writings of Sicard, or indeed, in the appraisal of his work, that there was any intention to link the figures in the sculptural groups with any religious or sexual themes.

Popular culture

Over the years the Archibald Fountain has been a chosen spot for photos, buskers, political rallies and just as a meeting place. Park benches are provided nearby, making it a popular location for city workers at lunchtime.

Critical Mass

The Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park is the commencement point for Sydney's Critical Mass bicycle rides. Sydney's Critical Mass gathers from 17:30 on the last Friday of every month.

Gay icon

For some years the Archibald Fountain was the centre of a gay men's cruising area. According to the veteran Sydney gay activist and journalist Bob Hay, the various figures from Greek mythology, such as Apollo and Poseidon were interpreted as symbols of the "homosexual Golden Age of Ancient Greece". According to this interpretation, Apollo was the eromenos, or youth who is the beloved while Poseidon was often the model of the erastes, the "lover", the older, bearded man. According to Hay, in the 1930s and 1940s, the Archibald and the [nearby] [sculpture] at the War Memorial were the only nude male sculptures on public view.

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Scott Drummond
2 August 2011
Get up close to appreciate the detailed sculptural work, then step back 10-15 metres and take in the whole fountain. For more information, check out http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Fountain
Davin Chua
22 February 2015
Nice photo spot...enjoy!
John
25 January 2016
Big fountain worth a visit in summer
Lucila de Francischi
13 January 2015
Refreshing to sit next to it on a sunny day
ena
21 February 2010
This fountain is quite brash and gaudy. It's a good tourist photo spot as you can get a photo of the fountain and Sydney tower in one shot
Nao
12 March 2017
この噴水は第一次世界大戦時におけるオーストラリアとフランスの同盟を記念したもので、フランス人彫刻家 フランソワ・シカールの作品。ブロンズのアポロ像が神話上の人物に囲まれており、馬の頭、イルカ、カメから水が噴射されている。(シドニータワーアイにあった日本語解説より引用)
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2 College Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Get directions
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