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    The Water Nymph, 1925, by Paul Montford, courtesy of City of Melbourne.
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The Water Nymph

Paul Montford
Bronze sculpture
1925
Queen Victoria Gardens
(Melway ref. 2F H8)

In 1925, Melbourne City Council's Parks & Gardens Committee allocated funds towards purchasing statues for its public gardens. This was an attempt to appease a dissatisfied and vocal public, which had criticised council for the poor state of the pieces located in Fitzroy Gardens.

Paul Montford's Water Nymph is one of the works that were purchased. It is a bronze statue of a young woman, with raised arms stroking her hair. She kneels on a round base, which is set in an ornamental lake. This is a classic image of the period. The nymph is linked to age-old representations of the mermaid and the siren, which symbolise female sexuality.

Water Nymph was unveiled in September 1925.

City Of Melbourne