First of all, the Gabriela part: Behold! Another drawing from my weekend drawing festival! This is the very fetching Gabriela. She is a star absolutely and you can find her here in my shop!
...and now for the Robert part!
I have been a huge admirer of this magnificent 3 tiered cast iron Sydney fountain for a while and every time I walk past it I think "I must take a photo of that magnificent fountain for my blog because I just think it's lovely!" Finally, last Sunday I managed to have my camera with me as I walked past.
This fountain was made in a factory in Colebrookdale (UK) and installed in 1907 in the grounds of Sydney's oldest hospital which is now the Sydney Eye Hospital. It was dedicated to the memory of Robert Brough.
Robert Brough was an English actor who came to Sydney in 1870 with his wife and together they were incredibly popular and well loved particularly for their musical comedy routines. So, when Robert died in 1906 it was thought a memorial of some description needed to be erected. So, this lovely fountain is it!
In the close ups above you can see the brolgas and the Australian black swans that surround two of the tiers. It has a particularly Australian flavour to it yet it reminds me of something out of Alice in Wonderland.
Now for the Florence part!
In the picture below you can see the fountain again and behind it a very attractive Gothic revival building which was actually designed by Florence Nightingale. It is The Nightingale Wing and was built in 1869 to house the first nursing school in Sydney and perhaps one of the first in the world. It is now houses a museum which is full of nursing memorabilia and grisly medical specimens floating in jars of formaldehyde.
Good luck with hump day everyone!
Simply love the 'interesting'color combo of that cast iron... Wouldn't it be nice if each city building would have a beautiful fountain...that would certainly be my dream city! ~Thanks Sam!
XO*
Posted by: lenorenevermore | July 22, 2009 at 06:49 AM
Your new illustration is beautiful Sam!!
I love that we share the name... as you might have noticed I already got myself a print on etsy! :) I can't wait to have her in a pretty frame in my living room.
She's going over the fireplace...♥
I also am very much enamored by the Robert Brough fountain. I can honestly tell you that I've never seen anything like it. I love the colors and design and most of all, the history. I must visit Sydney one day. Such an amazing city.
Posted by: Gabbi | July 22, 2009 at 08:22 AM
gabriela is gorgeous and i want her dress!
your talent is just awe inspiring.
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | July 22, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Ooh, that fountain is pretty. I like the Gabriela too--definitely a knock-out in a red dress.
Posted by: The Clothes Horse | July 22, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Gabriela is gorgeous! I love the colour of her dress.
I live in Melbourne :)
Posted by: Anna | July 22, 2009 at 02:31 PM
What a lovely fountain! I love how you can see the modern buildings in the background. Such an interesting juxtaposition.
Posted by: Amelia | July 22, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Gabriela is very fetching indeed Sam! When I read your post title I thought I may find an illustration of a charming young man to accompany Gabriela! That's quite some fountain and interesting background info. I must remember all of these cool things to be found in Sydney so I can check them out one day. Happy hump day to you! Actually it's no longer the daytime. So happy hump night to you. Er...that didn't sound quite like the right thing to say ;) Happy Wednesday xo
Posted by: Tracy | July 22, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Oooh! I'm with you Lenornevermore! This fountain makes me so happy whenever I walk past it - I think a city full of them would be delightful!
Gabbi - thank you sweetie! XX I think she will be very happy indeed to be above your fireplace. And the fountain - well I've never seen one like it before either - I think Sydney just got lucky! So whimsical - gorgeous fun!
Blushes all round Christina!! Thank you - I think you'd look kinda cute in something like that actually! It would set your dark hair off perfectly!
Thank you The Clothes House! Red is a bit of a winner for a dress I agree!!
Anna! So nice to meet you! I thought I recognised the light and landscape of Melbourne in your post!
Yes Amelia - I think those modern buildings are peering down and wondering abut that little fountain tucked away in it's Victorian bubble!
Thank you so much Tracy! Happy...erm Hump day to you too! Have you been to Sydney before? I think you may like it - there's lots of beaches and water - you'd feel right at home here, you Brissy gal you!
Posted by: Sam | July 22, 2009 at 06:56 PM
sam, she's so adorable!
Posted by: miriam | July 22, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Wow, this looks like out of a fairy tale!
Posted by: Parapluie | July 22, 2009 at 07:43 PM
get out! Florence designed a building! I had no idea... And that fountain with its brolga and black swans!...so great that it's been preserved...and sweet Gabriela...do these characters tell you their names...or do you research them....and thank you dear sweet lovely girl for all your wellness wishes...
Posted by: Chrisy | July 22, 2009 at 08:32 PM
What an incredibly beautiful building, and the fountain is just so cheerful :) And wow, Gabriela looks stunning in her red dress. Hope you're having a wonderful day :)
Posted by: dapper kid | July 23, 2009 at 03:21 AM
Thank you so much Miriam and Parapluie! Much appreciated!
It's interesting, isn't it Chrisy? Apparently Henry Parks the premier of NSW at the time was pretty keen to get the states health system up to speed so he called on: Florence Nightingale! He sounds like my type of man! He goes straight to the top!! Do hope you are recovering Chrisy - no good at all to feel so crook like that. XX
Thank you Dapper Kid - it's one of my favourite buildings in the city actually! It's made from sandstone and it's very pretty - cheerful is a great way to describe the fountain!! :)
Posted by: Sam | July 23, 2009 at 05:25 AM
Yes I have been to Sydney several times Sam and I love it! I haven't been back for a while now. The last trip was maybe about 3 years ago :)
Posted by: Tracy | July 23, 2009 at 06:39 PM
lovely drawing!
x
Posted by: thesydneygirl | July 27, 2009 at 11:07 AM