Ball Dean Macartney 1888 {1889} SLV [SC]

This work, signed by Ball, depicts the widely-admired Anglican Archdeacon of Melbourne, Hussey Burgh Macartney (1799-1894).

According to Ridley (1995), the bust, commissioned through a subscription of £250 to mark the 60^th anniversary of Macartney’s ordination in 1823, was designed and begun in 1883 by James Gilbert, but then completed by Ball, following Gilbert’s unexpected death. Ridley adds that Gilbert’s funeral service, held on 6 Sept.1885, was conducted by Macartney himself.

Refs.

AR 1889, p.43; NGV 1894, p.132 (VI.Rotunda, no.31); NGV 1905, p.157 (VI.Sculpture – Verdon Gallery, no.20)

See SLV catalogue  (details as above; not illustrated); at the time of writing (July 2019), a photograph could not be obtained as the work is in storage

See also the linked artist entry on Gilbert in this catalogue, citing Ronald T.Ridley, “The Mysterious James Gilbert: The Forgotten Sculptor, 1854-85,” La Trobe Journal no.54 (March 1995), pp.18-32, esp.pp.26-27 and 30 (as cited above)