Powerhouse Museum

I don't think these statues are in the present day's Botanical Gardens in Sydney. A pity.

lifeasdaddy if you enter through the Palace Garden entrance in Macquarie St, you'll come across them. They're still there (well, last time I was there about 18 months ago), although not as out in the open as in the above photo, as lots of trees/bushes have grown around many of them now.

Thanks. I don't get there often either, but I'll go have a look soon.

These are replicas of the famous pair of statues by Canova, c. 1800, known as "The Boxers".
See . . . ancientrome.ru/art/artworken/img.htm?id=1458

The statues of the boxers Damoxenus (alt. Damoxenos) and Kruegas are copies of original works by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822)...

There are several Canova copies in the Botanic Gardens...they were evidently the work of Melbourne-born sculptor Charles F. Summers...a number statues/copies attributed to Charles F. Summers were acquired by the Botanic Gardens in 1883...but the Canova Boxers statues appear to have been acquired earlier/later...

trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13565855 - SMH, 28th May, 1884...contemporary reference to the Damoxenus and Kruegas statues in the Botanic Gardens here...see item 1st column...

'AMONG the recent additions to our National Gallery, are casts of Canova'a Boxers, Creugas and Damoxenus, presented by Mr. James H. Fairfax. These casts are taken direct from the original marbles in the Vatican Museum, Rome, and convey the exact impression of Canova's wonderful study of the human form in its muscular development and intense passion ; at the same time, showing the great sculptor's skill and perfect knowledge of anatomy. From these casts were copied the marble statues in the grounds leading to the Botanical Gardens. Though well executed, those statues are in what is termed second quality marble, intended specially for outdoor exposure ; therefore they are not expected to be as perfectly accurate as casts from the originals. The casts are presented, with a view of giving to art students the nearest approach to two of Canova's most vigorous works.'

The 'Meleager' statue seen here is also attributed to Charles F. Summers...I haven't managed to discover when it was acquired...it was evidently removed from the Botanic Gardens during World War 2...and later ended up in the courtyard at Fort St Boys' High School, at Petersham...I don't know whether it's still there...

Beautiful.

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Lady Vintage, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

wonderful !

Here we see arranger and piano accordion player Maurice Paul with singer Betty Lorraine...members of Sunny Brooks' band...the pic was evidently taken on their arrival in Sydney on 23rd April, 1935...

collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/388328 - link to the slide at the PHM...scroll down to read the blurb in the description...the main title is misleading/incorrect

collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/388335 - the group pic of the Sunny Brooks band...

trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230263043 - the Sun, 26th May, 1935...pic of Maurice Paul here...

As with so many of the Tyrrell collection photos - much has changed over the years, and yet - not.

Earliest date: ca. 1903 - external work on Bank of Australasia completed

Latest date: 1906 - work on Challis House yet to start, or in an early stage...I'm not sure when work on the 1906-08 Commercial Banking Co additions would have become visible...

Similar view, but somewhat earlier
www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/4903275121/

Kind of reverse view...taken at about the same time...but not the same occasion...there are some differences
www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/2362675439/

ca. 1904-06

Electric street lighting was introduced in the CBD in 1904...operating from ca. July 1904
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/164909998/16884702

Before the 1906-08 alterations/additions to the Commercial Banking Co of Sydney, NW cnr George/Barrack Sts
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263589536