This room, one of several added to the Melbourne Public Library complex during the late 1880s to accommodate the growing collections of the NGV, was the showpiece for major international paintings from the collection during the 1890s and early 1900s. Its contents opened the illustrated catalogues published in 1894 and 1905, listing the works in
Picture Gallery, South Wing, Lt Lonsdale Street 1872 Silver albumen photograph SLV H96.160/1794 (transferred from the Victorian Patents Office, 1908) This photograph (one of a pair) documents the appearance of the Public Library’s temporary picture gallery as it appeared between c. 1865 and 1875. Prominent are several of the NGV’s earliest painting acquisitions: Cope Pilgrim Fathers 1856
Unknown artist (17th-century Russian) Virgin and Child Oil on wood panel, 40.6 x 34.0 cm Gift of Mr H.H.Hart, 1868 National Gallery of Victoria (p.301.15-1) This icon is clearly documented in the NGV stock-book as donated to the Melbourne collection in 1868. An added note in the stock-book indicates that it was auctioned in 1948 (when
This partial view of the library’s entrance hall (as published in the 1905 NGV catalogue, before p.1), includes several recognizable marble sculptures. Clearly visible in the left and centre foreground are Charles Summers‘ statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Also visible here are * Halse Advance Australia 1865 {1891} Loc? [SC] (at the far right);
Pre-Felton works probably donated by Lonsdale * Noble [after] Queen Victoria {1863} Loc? [SC] * Unknown (British, 19C) Innocence {c.1860} Loc? [SC] Lonsdale superintended the earliest development of Port Phillip from 1836-39 (prior to the arrival of La Trobe). Since he was never formally appointed governor, his portrait did not appear in the “Oval portrait” series.
Portraits of Perry listed in this catalogue: Weigall Dr Charles Perry 1875 {1876} SLV [PA] Summers (Charles) Rev.Charles Perry {1876} SLV [SC] The Right Reverend Charles Perry, D.D., was a significant contributor to the development of early Melbourne. As archbishop of the new diocese (1848-75), he obtained authority to establish the Anglican Church in Australia as a self-governing
Works included in this catalogue Robinson after Selous Surrender of Calais {1868} NGV [PR] Robinson after Stewart Daniel O’Connell {1868} NGV [PR] He was one of the eminent British engravers who petitioned in 1836 for the admission of engravers to the Royal Academy – agreed some years later. Robinson himself was elected to the RA
Works included in this catalogue * Guardabassi L’Elemosina {1883} Loc? [WT] * Guardabassi The Matador {1883} Loc? [WT] * Guardabassi Un Vecchio Cappuccino {1883} Loc? [WT] * Guardabassi Una Vecchia che fila {1883} Loc? [WT] Guardabassi The Venetian Senator {1883} NGV [WT] The artist worked in Rome and Paris, mainly producing picturesque landscapes and figure
Works included in this catalogue Strange after Cortona Caesar putting away Pompeia {by 1868} NGV [PR] Strange after Cortona Romulus and Remus {by 1868?} NGV [PR] Strange fought in the Jacobite rising of 1745 and subsequently worked in France and Italy, later returning to London and finding favour with George III. The two pre-Felton engravings by
Unknown artist (19th century?) A Lancashire witch Mezzotint Donated by E.L.Grundy 1868 National Gallery of Victoria (p.178.9-1) This print is described in the NGV’s unpublished list of pre-1905 acquisitions (PF) as “after Gary Bradley” (an artist who has not been traced; he may have been a publisher). The title may allude to the infamous trials of the Pendle
Pre-Felton works donated by Grundy Lewis (F.) after Lawrence A Lady {1868} NGV [PR] * Linnell Sir Robert Peel 1838 {by 1870} Loc? [PR] Purcell after Reynolds David Garrick {1868} NGV [PR] Smith (J.) after Reynolds Madona col bambino 1791 {1868} NGV [PR] Unknown after Lake Price Brace of Birds {1868} NGV [PR] Unknown A
Pre-Felton works bequeathed by Bromby: * Koekkoek Unlading Fishing Smacks {1889} Loc? [PA] * Raphael [attrib.] Head of St John {1889} Loc? [PA] Unknown (17C Italian?) after Reni Repentance of St Peter {1889} NGV [PA] After an earlier career as both clergyman and teacher, Bromby migrated to Melbourne in 1857 to become the first headmaster of
Works donated to the pre-Felton collection by Goold * Unknown (19C Italian?) Italian Boy and Cat {1867} Loc? [PA] * Unknown (19C Italian?) Martyrdom of St Sebastian {1867} Loc? [PA] Goold was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Melbourne (1848-74) and then Archbishop of Melbourne (1874-86). He was instrumental in the commencement of building work on
Works after Canova listed in this catalogue * Canova [after] Head of Christ {by 1865} Loc? [SC] * Canova [after] Two Lions {by 1865} Loc? [SC] * Canova [attrib.] Eve {1885} Loc? [SC] None of the works listed is extant; it seems most unlikely that any of them was original. The pre-Felton Melbourne collection also included plaster
Canova, Antonio (1757-1822; Italian) [after] Head of Christ Bronze relief Purchased by 1865 Unidentified; location unknown This work was listed, under bronzes, in the 1865 NGV catalogue, and was still catalogued by the NGV in 1943. However, there do not appear to be any reproductions of it. Perhaps it was based on the head of
Works included in this catalogue Lewis (C.G.) after Barker Allied Generals at Sebastopol 1859 {by 1865} Loc? [PR] Lewis (C.G.) after Rivière Daniel in the Lions’ Den {1876} NGV [PR] Lewis was well known as an engraver of paintings by Landseer and other major painters of his day. His father Frederick Christian Lewis was also an engraver: see Lewis (F.) after
Works listed in this catalogue Stacpoole after Rivière All that was left of the ‘Homeward Bound’ {1876} NGV [PR] Stacpoole after Rivière Charity {1876} NGV [PR] Stacpoole after Rivière Circe and the Friends of Ulysses {1876} NGV [PR] These engravings were from a group of four prints after Briton Rivière donated together in 1876; the 4th was by C.G.Lewis; for further
Lewis, Charles G. (1808-80; English), after Rivière, Briton (1840-1920; English) Daniel in the Lions’ Den Engraving Donated by William Agnew, 1876 National Gallery of Victoria (p.182.8-1) One of four engravings after Rivière donated together in 1876 (see artist entry for details); the other three were engraved by Frederick Stacpoole. All four were signed by both
Stacpoole, Frederick (1813-1907; English), after Rivière, Briton (1840-1920; English) Charity Engraving, 45.3 x 62.3 cm (image) Donated by William Agnew, 1876 National Gallery of Victoria (p.182.5-1) One of the prints after Rivière donated in 1876, all signed by both painter and print-maker. This particular impression is stamped at lower left (“Printseller’s Association: XDC”). A version
Stacpoole, Frederick (1813-1907; English), after Rivière, Briton (1840-1920; English) ‘All that was left of the ‘Homeward Bound’ Engraving, 47.4 x 67.3 cm (image) Donated by William Agnew, 1876 National Gallery of Victoria (p.182.6-1) This was one of four engravings after Rivière donated together in 1876. All four are signed by both the painter and the
Stacpoole, Frederick (1813-1907; English), after Rivière, Briton (1840-1920; English) Circe and the Friends of Ulysses Engraving, 41.2 x 78 cm (image) Donated by William Agnew, 1876 National Gallery of Victoria (p.182.7-1) Like the other engravings after Rivière donated in 1876, this impression is signed by both painter and print-maker. Rivière’s original painting of Circe presiding
Guérard, Eugene von (1811-1901; Austrian/Australian) 95 drawings of Melbourne, Ballarat etc. 1852-56 Mostly pencil on paper, various sizes Purchased 1902 State Library of Victoria [H592 etc.] [photo: sketch of the Point Lonsdale lighthouse, 22 Dec.1852 (SLV H2384)] This remarkable group of drawings was purchased from London bookseller Frances Edwards, for only £30. The relevant correspondence
Works included in this catalogue Turner (J.M.W.) Dunstanborough Castle {1888} NGV [PA] * Willmore (J.) after Turner (J.M.W.) Italian Landscape {1868} Loc? [PR] Dunstanborough Castle (c.1798), donated to the Melbourne collection by the Duke of Westminster in 1888, improved the quality of the gallery’s holdings of British and European landscape painting at a single blow, giving local
Pre-Felton works after Landseer Albert [Prince] after Landseer (?) Two Peasant Women 1842 {1893} NGV [ET] Ryall after Landseer Deer stalkers returning {1868} NGV [PR] Known later principally as an expert animal painter, Landseer was the young Queen Victoria’s favourite artist. He taught both Victoria and Albert etching, and portrayed the royal couple on several occasions. His Windsor
Pre-Felton work donated by La Trobe Lowry after Liardet View of Melbourne 1845 {1859} SLV [PR] Pre-Felton portraits of La Trobe Woolner La Trobe [plaster medallion] 1853 {by 1880} SLV [SC] Woolner La Trobe [smaller bronze medallion] (1853) {1889} NGV [SC] Woolner La Trobe [larger bronze medallion] 1853 {1888} SLV [SC] See also “Oval portrait” series, no.1, by
Girard, Alexis François (1789-1870; French), after Reverdin, François-Gédéon (1772-1828; Swiss/French) Laocoon Engraving, c.61 x 40.2 cm (image); 64 x 45.5 cm (paper) Presented by Thomas Alexander, Esq., by 1861 National Gallery of Victoria (p.179.1-1) As the French inscription indicates, this image reproduces the central figure from the famous Hellenistic group in the Vatican. Subsidiary inscriptions
Pre-Felton works donated by Dr Gilbee or funded through his bequest * Unknown (British?) A highland still {1885} Loc? [PA] Fox Landing of Captain Cook 1902 {1902} NGV [PA] Gilbee, who practiced medicine in Scotland before emigrating in the early 1850s, became a prominent Melbourne surgeon, and an Australian pioneer of the new principles of
Works included in this catalogue * Franck after Devaux Princess Charlotte, impératrice de Mexique {by 1894} Loc? [PR] * Franck after De Winne Le Comte de Flandre 1860 {by 1894} Loc? [PR] He appears to have been known particularly for his engravings after various Old Masters and Gérome. Refs. For details, see AKL 43 (2004),
Pre-Felton works bought or commissioned on his advice Alma-Tadema The Vintage Festival 1871 {1888} NGV [PA] Creswick & Ansdell England 1850 {1878} NGV [PA] Dyck [van] (after) Mystic Marriage of St Catherine {1869} NGV [PA] Goodall (F.) Rachel going to the Well 1867 {1867} NGV [PA] Graham Autumnal Showers 1869 {1869} NGV [PA] * Hodgson Arab Prisoners 1870 {1871} Loc?
Pre-Felton works after Velazquez Longstaff after Velazquez Aesopus 1890 {1890} NGV [PA] Quinn after Velazquez Infanta Margarita Teresa {1895} NGV [PA] The Spanish Baroque master appealed to Manet and many other 19th-century painters for his combination of brilliant brushwork and cool tonality, and several recipients of the NGV Travelling Scholarship copied his works (examples listed above).