Achille Simonetti (sculptor)

Achille Simonetti (1838–1900) was a sculptor in Australia. He undertook many important commissions.

Early life

Simonetti was born in Rome, Italy, the son of a sculptor.

Career

In 1871 James O'Quinn, Roman Catholic Bishop of Brisbane, persuaded Simonetti to immigrate to Brisbane, Queensland. By 1874 he moved to Sydney establishing a studio in Balmain.[1]

Later life

Simonetti died after a two-week illness on 23 March 1900 at his residence and studio in Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales.[2] He was buried in the Roman Catholic section of Rookwood Cemetery.[1][3]

At the time of his death, he was designing on a statue of the late Queensland Premier Thomas Joseph Byrnes.[4] Although there was a proposal that Simonetti's former pupil James White might continue the work, the commission was given to Melbourne sculptor Bertram Mackennal who completed the status in 1902. It was placed at the corner of Queen, Wickham, Ann and Boundary Streets in Brisbane (which was later redeveloped to create Centenary Place).[5]

Significant works

References
  1. Hutchison, Noel S. (1976). "Simonetti, Achille (1838–1900)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  2. "Signor Simonetti". Catholic Press. IV (230). New South Wales, Australia. 31 March 1900. p. 8. Retrieved 20 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Second Bushmen's Contingent". The Evening News (10, 234). Sydney. 27 March 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 22 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "The Byrnes' Statue". Warwick Examiner and Times. 34 (4419). Queensland. 28 March 1900. p. 2. Retrieved 20 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "The Byrnes Monument in Brisbane". The W.A. Record. XXVII (1147). Western Australia. 20 September 1902. p. 18. Retrieved 22 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Bishop James O'Quinn". Monument Australia. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  7. "Governor Arthur Phillip". Monument Australia. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
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