City Hall Tympanum
Text Version
The carved sandstone tympanum (the triangular decorative wall surface) above the main entrance is called the Progress of Civilisation in the State of Queensland.
It was carved by Daphne Mayo. At the time the relief sculpture was Brisbane’s most important commission. Completed after the opening of the building in 1930, the stone was sculpted in situ from a one-third scale plaster model.
The central figure in the classical design is robed to represent the state who sends her explorers, industrialists and artists throughout the land.
The displaced Aboriginal people are depicted as fleeing. It is a skilful adaptation of the pedimental groupings of ancient Greek temples
