We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art stands and recognise the creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.
Harold Parker / Australia 1873–1962 / The first breath of spring 1911 / Marble / Purchased 1912 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery Gallery of Modern Art / © Harold Parker Estate
Harold ParkerThe first breath of spring 1911
Not Currently on Display
The first breath of spring 1911 has French heritage. It was inspired by the work of Harold Parker’s teacher, John Tweed, who had been taught by French master Auguste Rodin. Mythological and allegorical figures formed a large part of Parker’s sculpture practice.
This work, which represents spring as a young woman, refers to the ancient Greek myth of Persephone, daughter of Zeus, and the harvest goddess Demeter. Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, and was allowed to return for only part of each year.
Her disappearance and reappearance symbolise the seasons, when winter is followed by new growth each spring. Parker’s bronze work, Spring awakening 1913, also on display in the Queensland Art Gallery’s Sculpture Courtyard, makes an obvious link to this earlier work.
Harold Parker was one of Australia’s most highly regarded sculptors, and one of a small group of Queensland artists working at the turn of the twentieth century to develop an international reputation during their career. Born in Aylesbury, England, Parker came to Australia when he was three years old. As a young adult he studied drawing and modelling at the Brisbane Technical College.
Parker learnt how to carve from local woodcarver Cuthbert Vickers, and from 1889 to 1895 regularly won prizes for his carving at Brisbane’s annual Royal National Association exhibitions. In 1896, Parker moved to London where he studied sculpture. He developed an interest in the work of Auguste Rodin. He began to exhibit at the prestigious Royal Academy in London in 1903, and later at the Paris Salon. In 1908, London’s Tate Gallery purchased his life-size marble of Ariadne. During his London career, Parker made a number of visits to Australia and in 1930 returned to Brisbane, where he lived until his death in 1962.
Discussion Questions
1. What material is this sculpture made of? How does the choice of material enhance the artwork?
2. What characteristics of the sculpture give it a lifelike appearance?
Classroom Activities
1. Explore how Greek myths used elements of the human condition to explain natural phenomena. Create an artwork of symbolic representation using a single figure. Give your work a title.
2. In groups, take photos of each other in a variety of seated poses. Try to explore twisting, stretching and folding your arms, neck, hands, feet and head in a variety of poses. Use the photos as starting points for small clay or plasticine sculptures. Use white clay or plasticine so the shadows of the form are evident.