Archibald Fountain

The J.F. Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park created by the French sculptor François-Léon Sicard in 1932, commemorates the association between Australia and France in World War I.  It was named after J.F. Archibald (1856-1919), co-owner and publisher of the influential magazine, The Bulletin.  Despite the intentions behind this commission, Sicard wanted the work to be dominated by the subject of peace.  It draws its themes from Greek antiquity and is an important example in Sydney of the classical revivalist sculpture of the 1920s and 1930s, known as Art Deco. The fountain is approximately 18 metres in diameter.  A bronze Apollo, the central raised figure standing approximately six metres high on a central pedestal, dominates the other mythical figures of Diana (bringing harmony to the world), Pan (watching over the fields and pastures) and Theseus conquering the Minotaur (symbolic of sacrifice for the common good).  Behind Apollo, a large arch of fine spray represents the rising sun and accentuates his dominant position.  At Apollo’s feet, water sprays from horses’ heads into a series of three basins.  Tortoises in the large hexagonal basin, and dolphins in the middle one, direct jets of water towards the centre.