Leopoldine Mimovitch
The following is an article from the Sacre Coeur magazine in 1980. Permission to reprint was gained by former MSWPS president Carmel O’Connor.
Adorning the Sacré Cœur buildings are works by the famed artist Leopoldine Mimovitch, a favourite of the RSCJ. For over five decades the School had commissioned her to produce many bespoke pieces.
In the 1980s, as a Year 11 student, Marisa Reid (Galli), Alumnae and current Board member, interviewed Leopoldine for Cor Unum. We offer a reprinting of her article as a tribute to this talented artist.
Early this year I had the great pleasure of talking to Mrs. Mimovitch about her life and work, particularly about the pieces she did for Sacré Coeur, for she is the artist who sculpted the Stations of the Cross in our Chapel and the three beautiful wooden pieces in Mater's Chapel. Mrs. Mimovitch was born in Neumarkt in the Italian Tyrol but the family moved soon after her birth to St. Johann, Austria, where she spent most of her young life. After leaving school she worked as an apprentice to her father who was an interior decorator. Her artistic talent was recognised and encouraged from an early age, but it was not until 1939 that she was able to go to art school in Vienna. She studied there for three years and then she went to the College of Religious Art in Hallstadt for a number of years. In 1948 Mrs. Mimovitch, now married, came with her husband, to Australia. Those early years, as for most migrants were difficult ones and she had little opportunity to work at her beautiful art. As the years passed, despite setbacks through serious illness, Leopoldine Mimovitch gained great recognition in the field of carving. Her work is renowned throughout Australia where it adorns many convents, schools and churches. In the early sixties Mrs. Mimovitch was commissioned by our school to do the Stations Of The Cross. They took some months to complete. Working on Stations of the Cross, she said, was a moving experience as each time she does some pieces she accompanies Christ in such a living way in his suffering. The free-standing statues in Mater's Chapel followed, one of St. Aloysius and the other of the Angels, for the congregations of those names. When I went to see Mrs. Mimovitch I took one of these with me. She said it was like meeting an old friend again. It was very interesting to see how her style has changed, she now prefers a smooth sanded finish on her work. Before doing the relief sculpture of the Blessed Philippine Duchesne for Mater's Chapel, Mrs. Mimovitch carefully researched the subject as she always does. She was deeply touched by the great achievements of this amazing woman, particularly her work with the Indians of North America. It was a privilege to talk to Mrs. Mimovitch and I took away not only memories of her exquisite work which adorns her home but also of her great humility and beautiful faith in God.
Marisa Galli, Year 11
Leopoldine Mimovich OAM, Revered Painter and Sculptor.
Introduction by Tessa Wallis MSWPS President 2023-2024
In June 2022, MSWPS was invited to view the excellent collection of paintings, drawings, carvings and bronze sculpture by Leopoldine Mimovich OAM at St Monica’s Catholic College in Epping. Leopoldine was a former member of MSWPS and a practising artist at her home in Kew. The love that went into her creations is powerfully communicated and her paintings, wood carvings and sculpture engender emotion and reverence.
MSWPS was honoured to hear St Monica’s Principal, Mr Brian Hanley OAM, as key speaker at the event. He encourages students to touch and discover the form and materiality of the sculptures saying “It is important that students be surrounded by beautiful objects as it helps establish feelings of well being and respect for themselves, each other and art”.
Leopoldine Mimovich OAM died on Christmas Day 2019 aged 99.years.
The following tribute from MSWPS appeared in newspapers:
Mimovich OAM 1920 - 2019.
3 January 2020
The President, Committee and Members of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors,(MSWPS) pay tribute to their former colleague, sculptor Leopoldine Mimovich, who passed away December 25th 2019.
Leopoldine Mimovich OAM was a painter and a widely commissioned sculptor in wood and bronze, especially for religious pieces, and her work is held in churches, schools and other institutions in Australia and internationally. She belonged to the generation of artistically talented post World War 2 migrant artists who expanded Australian cultural experience, and showed sculptures for many years with MSWPS. MSWPS sends condolences to her family and friends.
Sacre Coeur, an Independent Catholic College for girls, also has a collection of significant artworks by Leopoldine Mimovich. It is yet another tribute to the remarkable talents of this woman artist whose sculptures are treasured and revered.
Carmel sent images that represent an overview of Leopoldine’s art practice.
