summers-sculptures-1The marble sculptures on view in the foyer and North Wing of Rotorua Museum are the work of a sculptor named Charles Francis Summers.

Purchased in 1908 to add to the ambience of the Rotorua Bath House by the then Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, they represent the largest collection of Summers’ work in the world.

Charles Francis Summers was born in Richmond, Melbourne, in 1858 and travelled with his sculptor father to Rome when he was eleven.

At its peak the studio established by his father was one of the finest in Rome, at one time employing twenty men. His only son Charles Francis, learnt the trade beside his father and was influenced by professors Benzoni, Seitz and Chelli. The work of the two Summers is often confused. Charles Summers Senior died in 1878 while Charles Francis Summers Junior, who worked from a studio at 55A Via Margutta, Rome, returned to Australia to live in 1904.

Before that date he made several visits to Australia to exhibit and sell his marble reproductions of the work of famous sculptors.

Friendly with two Popes during this period, Summers is the only artist to have been given permission to take plaster casts of figures and carvings in the Vatican.

An auction of all the sculptures of Charles Francis Summers was scheduled to take place in Melbourne on Tuesday 13th June 1905. The auction was never held. All the works were sold privately before the advertised date to the commissioners of the Christchurch International Exhibition of 1906 – 1907. The price paid was £2 250, plus expenses. Summers travelled to New Zealand with the sculptures, setting them up in Christchurch.

In 1908 thirteen sculptures, twelve by Summers and one by C. Fossi, were purchased by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts for the Rotorua Bath House. The sum of £2 000 was paid and, after being shipped to Auckland, the works were sent to Rotorua by rail.

All the figures were sculpted from Carrera marble from Italy, the material used by Michelangelo, and are examples of the mid-nineteenth century Neo- Classical style.

After this sale Charles Francis Summers apparently stopped producing sculpture. He had discovered marble extending for sixteen miles at the headwaters of the Murray River, and put his energies into quarrying this native stone.

His visions of a great marble industry remained unrealised. Ironically he missed the greatest prize, a vein of pure white marble just over the hill from the site of his arduous efforts.

summers-sculptures-2Eve
Eve with apple in hand dominates the Bath House foyer. The panels on the pedestal depict God bringing Eve to Adam, Eve tempting Adam, the expulsion from the Garden of Eden by the Angel with the fiery sword, and the finding of Abel’s body.
summers-sculptures-3The First Whisper of Love
This sculpture, which is a replica of the original by G.M.Lombardi, depicts Psyche and Cupid. The indecision of Psyche is contrasted with the tempting attitude of the God of Love.
summers-sculptures-4The Chariot of Love
The God of Love is represented in a chariot drawn by doves. His winged messengers are evidently under his powerful influence.
summers-sculptures-5Two Friends
This sculpture was designed by Charles Summers Senior and exhibited at the Royal Academy. It was created in memory of a boy and his dog found starved to death in an Italian church.
summers-sculptures-6Bacchante and the Infant Bacchus
The original of this group stands on the grand staircase of the Royal Palace in Rome. It was designed by G.M. Benzoni.
summers-sculptures-7Deborah the Prophetess
The story of the prophetess Deborah and how she and Barak became leaders of Israel after destroying the King of Canaan is recounted on the pedestal of this imposing sculpture.
summers-sculptures-8Susannah Surprised by the Elders
This sculpture illustrates the story of the beautiful and good wife of Joakim. Two elders, inflamed by lust, but repelled by Susannah, laid false charges of adultery against her. Condemned to death, she was on her way to her execution when Daniel intervened, questioned her accusers and convinced people of her innocence. Scorn and modesty show on the face of Susannah.
summers-sculptures-9Pauline Bonaparte
Pauline Bonaparte is depicted in a reclining pose in this sculpture by C. Fossi of Rome. Pauline was the third and favourite sister of the Emperor Napoleon.
summers-sculptures-10Zephyr Teaching Cupid to Fly
Cupid is pictured as a winged infant armed with a bow, a quiver of arrows, and torches in this charming group.
summers-sculptures-11Saint Cecilia
This small and beautiful figurette is a replica of the famous work in the Church of Saint Cecilia in Rome. It was carved by Charles Francis Summers from a cast taken from the original by special permission of the Nuns of the Church. A similar work was commissioned by the King of Siam.
summers-sculptures-12Busts of Demosthenes and Socrates
The busts were carved from casts taken off the originals in the Vatican in Rome. Demosthenes was an Athenian orator who lived around 383 BC and Socrates the Greek philosopher lived from 469 – 399 BC.
summers-sculptures-13Flora
Garlanded in flowers, Flora represents the Roman festival of the goddess of flowers, Floralia, which was celebrated from April 28th and May 1st.

Please note that not all sculptures are on view at one time.