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Archibald
The Story Behind This Mural
Jules François Archibald, journalist, was born on 14 January 1856 at Kildare, Geelong, Victoria, and was baptised John Feltham. When he was 18, he joined the Victorian Education Department as a clerk. It was during this time that John Feltham Archibald recreated himself as a Frenchman, Jules François Archibald. After being dismissed from this position, he found a job as a clerk with the Maryborough engineering firm of John Walker & Co at £5 a week. He was sent by Walker’s to the Palmer goldfield, feeding quartz into Walker’s crushing mill, and generally looking after its operations. He lived in a hut with miners and survived a food shortage, snakebite and an outbreak of fever. These hardships inspired his lifelong concern for the underprivileged. Later he returned to Sydney and in 1880 established a newspaper – the Bulletin. However it was his art which subsequently made him famous and wealthy. After his death a part of his estate was endowed as an annual prize for portrait painting – the coveted Archibald Prize.
About the Artist
The artist Jacq Cronin is known for her colourful palette. Her obsession with all things creative allows her to explore all art mediums. This mural’s theme reflects both the artist’s and the subject’s love of Paris and all things French. The Artist’s style is influenced by the work of Henri Matisse.
Contributors to this Mural
The Maryborough Mural Project relies entirely on the generosity of volunteers and sponsors from our local community. Jacq generously waived her commission for this mural. The Committee would like to thank Mrs Tracey Christoffel, Mr Mal Finlayson, Ms Tracey Gray, Mrs Dawn Vanderwolf, Mr Trevor Dyer, Mr Robert Waye, Mr Rai Whitten, Mr Ken Darvell, Ms Christine Darvell, Mr Darryl Wright, Ms Dorelle Rider, Ms Tracey Hough and Ms Karen Berry for their time and expertise in coordinating this mural. We would also like to thank Ms Heather Locke from VIP Realty for her assistance in enabling the artist access to the mural site.
Our featured sponsor is Earles Paint Place, Maryborough who have generously supported the Maryborough Mural Project since it’s inception and who have provided most of the paint and paint supplies needed to complete our murals. Without their generous and passionate support of the Project we would not have been able to achieve what we have to date. Earles continue to support and sponsor the project as a major contributor in helping to revitalise Maryborough through Art.