Unknown artist Balbirnie’s Bridge over the Yarra Yarra River 1850 Pen and ink with ink wash, on cream paper, 11 x 18 cm Purchased, 1891 State Library of Victoria (H5011) Both NGV 1894 and 1905 give the title and date of this anonymous sketch as shown here (on the mount, it is dated and titled “Bridge
Westall, Richard (1765-1836; English) Untitled sepia sketch, c. 20 x 15 cm Presented by J.W.Meadon, 1873 Unidentified; present location unknown Westall, a prolific painter and illustrator, was widely admired in his day, especially by Byron, whose portrait he painted several times. The NGV collection includes several of his other sketches, acquired later (example reproduced below),
Ward, Leslie (1851-1922; English) Portrait of Frederick Leighton (before 1878?) Pencil, c.33 x 25.4 cm (?) Purchased, 1881 National Gallery of Victoria (p.168.8-1) This work is inscribed, lower left, “Drawn from life by Leslie Ward,” and, lower centre, “F.Leighton, Esq.” Leighton (1830-96) was knighted in 1878, hence the suggestion here that this sketch dates from before that
Ward, Leslie (1851-1922; English) John Everett Millais (1870s?) Pencil, c.29.7 x 22.8 cm Purchased, 1881 National Gallery of Victoria (p.168.11-1) According to NGV 1894 and 1905, this drawing was made for The Graphic. Millais (1829-96), one of the foundation members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, is said to have brought Ward’s caricatures to the attention of Vanity
Ward, Leslie (1851-1922; English) Miss Elizabeth Thompson (before 1877?) Pencil, heightened with pen and ink, c.29.0 x 21.1 cm Purchased, 1881 National Gallery of Victoria (p.168.10-1) This is one of three portrait drawings by Ward (for details, refer linked artist entry) bought from the International Exhibition held in Melbourne in 1881. For the sitter, known as
Works included in this catalogue Ward (L.) Elizabeth Thompson {1881} NGV [DR] Ward (L.) John Everett Millais {1881} NGV [DR] Ward (L.) Frederick Leighton {1881} NGV [DR] Sir Leslie Ward led a highly successful career as a caricaturist for Vanity Fair, where he used the pseudonym “Spy.” For mention of another one of his caricatures, see Boehm
Vierge, Daniel (1851-1904; Spanish/French) Battle of St Quentin 1876 Pen and ink, c. 21.59 x 15.24 cm Purchased, 1894 (advice of Joseph Pennell) National Gallery of Victoria (p.434.9-1) This work is identified in the 1905 NGV catalogue as an illustration for Michelet’s History of France, published in 1876. The battle in question occurred in 1557, when French forces
Varotari, Alessandro, also called ‘il Padovanino’ (1588-1649; Italian) Study of a Stooping Boy Black chalk, heightened with white, c. 38.1 x 25.4 cm (15” x 10”) Gift of Eliezer Montefiore, 1869 Present location unknown This is the only one of the Old Master drawings recorded as donated to the NGV by Montefiore in 1869 to be
Strutt, William (1825-1915; English/Australian) Study for the Opening of the First Victorian Parliament, Melbourne, 1856 (1863) Pencil and wash on paper, 30.7 x 41.6 cm Presented by John Pascoe Fawkner, 1868 State Library of Victoria (H329) [accessioned by SLV 1929] This drawing contains numerous portraits of the dignitaries assembled at this event, held at the
Strafford, George (c.1820-96; English/Australian) St Paul’s Church and old Princes Bridge (c.1854) Pencil, white gouache and watercolour on brown paper, 23 x 37.7 cm Purchased, 1888 State Library of Victoria (H282) This sketch shows the view from the east of Swanston Street towards the first bluestone church of St Paul’s, consecrated in 1852 (replaced after 1880 by
Strafford, George (c.1820-96; English/Australian) Police Station, Richmond Paddock (c.1854) Pencil, white gouache and watercolour on brown paper, 23 x 37 cm Purchased, 1888 State Library of Victoria (H281) This sketch (signed at the lower left) and Strafford St Paul’s Church {1888} SLV [DR], purchased together, show glimpses of Melbourne’s beginnings. Here, the first wooden bridge over
Staniland, Charles Joseph (1838-1916; English) Colliery Explosion – the Rush to the Pit’s Mouth Brush, wash and gouache, 19.0 x 25.0 cm Purchased 1881 National Gallery of Victoria (p.168.13-1) This drawing, exhibited in Australia in 1879-80, and purchased for Melbourne in 1881, was made for The Graphic. The artist was known particularly for his sea paintings.
Stafford, G. (details unknown; active c.1844-1860) 24 drawings, mostly pen & ink (some coloured), various sizes Purchased, 1872 National Gallery of Victoria (p.166.128.1-1 to p.166.128.24-1) [photo: Untitled c.1850 (p.166.128.9-1)] The artist responsible for this group of illustrations has not been identified. The works treat various themes, including battle scenes, and classical and Shakespearean subjects. Some
Solomon, Solomon J. (1860-1927; English) ‘The Leaves of Memory seemed to make a Mournful Rustling’ 1890 Pastel on paper, c.69 x 51 cm (sight) Purchased, 1892 (advice of Bernard Hall) National Gallery of Victoria (p.432.2-1) This drawing, an impressive work in fine condition, is inscribed at lower right with the artist’s monogram in yellow pastel:
Scurry, James (1826-94; English/Australian) (?) View from Flagstaff Hill 1853 Pencil on paper, c.10 x 68.5 cm Presented by Scurry, 1884 Unidentified; present location unknown To judge from the dimensions indicated in both NGV 1894 and 1905 (see above), this was a panoramic view of early Melbourne. The list of Scurry’s works provided on the Design
Scurry, James (1826-94; English/Australian) View on the Yarra 1853 Pencil, pastel and watercolour on toned paper, 10 x 25 cm (sight) Presented by Scurry, 1884 State Library of Victoria (H286) One of several early Melbourne views presented by the artist in 1884, this drawing is close in style and format to Scurry Sandridge Pier 1853 {1884}
Scurry, James (1826-94; English/Australian) Sandridge Pier 1853 Pencil, pastel and watercolour on toned paper, 9 x 26 cm Presented by Scurry, 1884 State Library of Victoria (H283) This drawing, signed, dated and titled, was donated with other early views of Melbourne by the artist. Sandridge was the original name of Port Melbourne. The tonality of the
Scurry, James (1826-94; English/ Australian) Cole’s Wharf – 1853, from south side of the Yarra 1853 Pencil on paper, with added colour, 9.9 x 49.8 cm Presented by Scurry, 1884 State Library of Victoria (H285) This panoramic sketch, signed and dated, and titled on the mount, was one of several drawings of early Melbourne presented