Ball, Percival (1845-1900; English)
Dean Macartney 1888
White marble, 65.0 x 44.5 x 31.5 cm
Presented by subscribers, 1889; transferred from the NGV to the SLV, 1943 
State Library of Victoria (H.2008.108)

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 60th 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); a photograph has yet to be published by the Library

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)