Exhibition Fountain
Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
C.1933
The Exhibition Fountain, also known as the Hochgurtel Fountain after its sculptor Josef Hochgurtel, is situated on the south side of the Royal Exhibition Building. The fountain and the Royal Exhibition Building were built for the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880, and are great examples of the period of the city's history known as 'Marvellous Melbourne'.
Josef Hochgurtel was born in Cologne. Various elements of his fountain symbolise Victorian society, an example of this being the four figures that dance below symbols of the arts, science, commerce and industry. The fountain, made from Portland cement, is around 10 metres in height, and a focal point of the Exhibition Gardens.