The Invention of Melbourne

Download or read book The Invention of Melbourne written by Jaynie Anderson and published by Melbourne Univ. Publishing. This book was released on 2019-08-06 with total page 331 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Invention of Melbourne defines the relationship between an architect of genius, William Wardell, and the first Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, James Goold, an Irishman educated in Risorgimento Italy. The partnership between a colonial architect and a baroque bishop produced St Patrick’s, the largest (and arguably the most beautiful) cathedral of the nineteenth century anywhere in the world, some thirteen churches, decorated with hundreds of Baroque paintings, imported into Australia in the 1850s to excite devotion among Catholics. These ambitious policies coincided with the Gold Rush, which contributed financially to their success. The contribution made by Wardell and Goold to the built environment of Melbourne remains significant within our city.The essays in this volume radically reassess Goold, who until now has been either dismissed as a stern, aloof Irish cleric, or viewed more favourably for his achievements as a champion of Catholic education. Similarly, Wardell’s legacy to Melbourne has been forgotten despite the conspicuous presence of Government House and the Gothic Bank, for many Melburnians their most favourite building. Together, they actively and creatively shaped the city that became a major international metropolis.