Gilbert, James (1830-85; Irish/Australian)

Works included in this catalogue
Ball Dean Macartney 1888 {1889} SLV [SC] (begun by Gilbert)
Gilbert & Ball Sir Redmond Barry 1887 {1887} SLV [SC]

Gilbert, who arrived in Australia in 1854, was placed second behind Charles Summers in the competition to design the Burke & Wills monument in 1862. Later, according to the illuminating account by Ronald T.Ridley (1995), he became “the leading sculptor in Melbourne, following the return of Charles Summers to Europe” (in 1867).

Both of the works listed above were completed by Percival Ball; Ridley adds that Ball’s 1890 bust of George Robertson (SLV: LTS35; presented in 1906, and hence not catalogued here) was also begun by Gilbert.

Refs.

Ronald T.Ridley, “The Mysterious James Gilbert: The Forgotten Sculptor, 1854-85,” The La Trobe Journal no.54 (March 1995), pp.18-32, esp.p.30 (quoted); available online. See also AKL 54 (2007), p.43 (a brief entry by R.Smith), and Bénézit 6, p.168