Works included in this catalogue * Mackennal Triumph of Truth 1891 {1891} Loc? [SC] Mackennal Louis Buvelot {1902} NGV [SC] Mackennal Madame Melba 1899 {1900} NGV [SC] After training with his father John (1832-1901), a Melbourne sculptor, Mackennal travelled to England in 1882, with an offer of work made by Marshall Wood, when the latter
Mackennal, Bertram (1863-1931; Australian) Madame Melba 1899 Marble, 198.5 x 61.3 x 61.5 cm (including base) Presented by Nellie Melba, 1900 National Gallery of Victoria (60-2) The famous soprano (1861-1931), who chose her stage name in tribute to her native Melbourne, commissioned this work from Mackennal – also a locally-born international celebrity, and almost her exact
Mackennal, Bertram (1863-1931; Australian) Louis Buvelot (1892) Marble, 55.8 x 49.8 x 29 cm Bequest of Madame Buvelot, 1902 National Gallery of Victoria (112-2) This posthumous bust was reproduced in NGV 1905. For Buvelot, see separate artist entry. Refs. AR 1902, p.18; NGV 1905, p.156 (VI.Sculpture – Verdon Gallery, no.15; ill. as shown here)
Mackennal, Bertram (1863-1931; Australian) The Triumph of Truth 1891 Plaster, size unknown Purchased, 1891 Unidentified, present location unknown [reproduction: wood engraving of Mackennal’s model, published in 1891] Noting this purchase, the NGV’s Annual Report for 1891 indicates that it received second prize (£100) in a competition to find a companion for Boehm St George 1887
MacDowell, Patrick (1799-1870; Irish/English) Eve (c.1870) Marble, size unknown Purchased, 1877; de-acquisitioned and presented to Bendigo, 1943 Bendigo Art Gallery (1943.18) The Irish-born sculptor – whose surname is also spelt McDowell in some sources – led a successful career in England, becoming a member of the Royal Academy in 1846. He is probably best known for the
Lombardi, Giovita (1837-76; Italian) Fowls – Cocks Fighting Marble, size unknown Purchased, 1884; de-accessioned and sold at auction, 1943 Unidentified; present location unknown As noted in NGV 1905, this was one of five sculptures purchased together in Melbourne in December 1884, for £1000: see also * Lombardi (Giovita) Goat and Kid {1884} Loc? [SC], etc. The sculptor
Lombardi, Giovita (1837-86; Italian) Goat and Kid Marble, size unknown Purchased, 1884; de-accessioned and sold at auction, 1943 Unidentified; present location unknown This group was sold at the 1943 auction of NGV sculpture, with the same sculptor’s marble statues of chickens, also acquired in 1884 (see separate entries); this work fetched £17/10. Lombardi exhibited marble