University of Sydney: Carving the Gargoyles

University of Sydney: Carving the Gargoyles

gargoyle, university, stonemason, "stone building", architecture, craftsmanship, decoration, gargoyle, gothic architecture, John Smith (1821-1885), neo-gothic architecture, New South Wales, NSW, stonemason, stone building, Sydney, university, university buildings, University of Sydney, water

This black and white photograph held by the State Library of New South Wales dates from c.1859. Taken by John Smith during the construction of The University of Sydney, it depicts stone masons at work carving the gargoyles. This is taking place against the backdrop of one of The University of Sydney’s neo-gothic buildings. Gargoyles were a popular feature of gothic architecture. They were functional as well as decorative, and were used to divert water away from the walls of buildings before drainpipes became commonplace.

Smith, John

Library of New South Wales

Library of New South Wales

ca 1859

Library of New South Wales

Hyperlink to photograph : Wet collodion plate, varnished. Stereoscopic negatives 7.5 x 16.5 cm., each image 7.1 x 7.8 cm. with no separation. Some lifting of emulsion at edges.

link to photograph