Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Copy Link
ACU Art Collection: First impressions
News 27 AprilThe Australian Catholic University is delighted to announce the publication of First impressions: Indigenous works from the ACU Art Collection.
Created in 1869, a rare and beautiful Ormolu Plaque is the latest artwork to be acquired by the University, and represents a wonderful opportunity to recognise an important historical period and admire fine craftsmanship at its best.
Commemorating the Vatican Council in the Papacy of Pius IX on The Feast of The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mary in December of the same year, the plaque depicts Mary’s holy and Immaculate Conception, and an edition was presented to each of the cardinals present. As the longest serving leader of the Catholic Church, Pius IX is known for convening the first Vatican Council and the ensuing decree of Papal infallibility.
The plaque was made by renowned French silversmith Antoine Vechte, who worked at Hunt & Roskell in London, and adds to a growing presence of religious artefacts held within the University’s Art Collection.
ACU Curator, Caroline Field states: "Its striking gold-like appearance is achieved through the process of applying finely ground, high-carat gold–mercury amalgam to bronze, creating ormolu or gilt bronze. This outstanding new acquisition has been sourced from the collection of Timothy Menzel, a notable authority on high quality decorative arts."
The Australian Catholic University is delighted to announce the publication of First impressions: Indigenous works from the ACU Art Collection.
John Fahey’s love of the chapel on ACU’s North Sydney Campus will inspire a memorial plaque and a portrait, honouring the memory of the late Chancellor and his contributions to the university communit...
This year Australia Post will feature the art of Leopoldine Mimovich OAM (1920-2019) from the ACU Art Collection.
It is anticipated that A new perspective will make a significant contribution to the appreciation of art whilst providing a greater awareness of the diversity of the ACU Art Collection
An exquisite religious object in the form of ‘A Charles I Irish Silver Recusant’s Communion Cup’ measuring just shy of 20cm in height, is of significant historical interest.
Book review by Margaret Pont
Artist Chris Orr was thrilled to have Motherboard Madonna Verde chosen for the ACU collection. The Sydney Morning Herald wrote up the acquisition in an article entitled Divine intervention proves a li...
In this compelling image by David Frazer, two preoccupied figures, dwarfed by the majestic, mysterious landscape surrounding them, walk slowly along a cambered pathway, hand-in-hand.
The ACU Art Collection contains over 1,000 diverse artworks dating from the 13th century to the contemporary, representing a wide range of disciplines and media.
Imagine you are walking through a soulless building. The corridors are empty. The walls are blank, save for an occasional functional notice. Nothing distracts you from the task in hand, the unrelentin...
Tonight, the Australian Galleries is making history. At 320 pages and with a meticulously researched text by Caroline Field and copious documentary illustrations, the book, being launched tonight, is ...
ACU’s new program recognises the power of fiction to build empathy and improve psychological wellbeing.
The annual ACU Prize for Poetry aims to support writers and to continue the tradition of the Catholic Church as a key patron of the arts.
Artist Shen Jaiwei has had a long association with ACU having painted numerous portraits over the years, four of which the University holds in its collection. He has won several art prizes and been ch...
Depiction of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child with Wisdom Accompanied by St. Joseph and St. Mary MacKillop in the style of Taddeo di Bartolo.
Building on the already significant representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art held within its collection, ACU recently embarked on an acquisition program for leading examples of this...
Margaret Hutchison, History Lecturer in ACU’s School of Arts in Brisbane, writes in The Conversation about Australia’s war art scheme in World War I.
Arthur Boyd’s The Tribute Money is a distinctive work painted on a ceramic tile.
Biccherna is the term given to the municipal account book covers commissioned by the chief financial office in Siena between the 13th and 17th centuries.
Jessica Loughlin is a leading Australian contemporary artist whose work is influenced by timeless and expansive landscapes.
A rare and beautiful ormolu plaque is the latest artwork to be acquired by ACU.
An arresting object of religious significance came to light recently during the process of examining our icon collection.
Dating back to the 17th century, a silver gilt recusant chalice is ACU’s latest engaging and symbolic art acquisition.