* O’Brien (?) Melbourne from the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets {1868} Loc? [DR]

O’Brien, George (1821-88; Irish/New Zealander) (?)
Melbourne from the Corner of Collins and Swanston Streets
Pencil, c. 25 x 50 cm
Donated by John Pascoe Fawkner, 1868  
Unidentified; present location unknown

This drawing, listed in the early NGV catalogues as one of those donated by Fawkner in 1868, but without identifying the artist, no longer appears to be in either the SLV or NGV. The 1905 catalogue indicates that it showed the view from the corner of Little Collins and Swanston Streets, looking south-east, in about 1840.

See also O’Brien Corner of Collins Street and Swanston Street 1853 {1904} NGV [WT], a separate watercolour previously in Alfred Felton’s collection, apparently showing the same view.

Refs.

AR 1870-71, p.34 (works donated by Fawkner); NGV 1894, p.116 (V.Buvelot Gallery, 3^rd bay, no.58; size given as 10 x 20 inches); NGV 1905, p.127 (V.Buvelot Gallery, 3^rd bay, no.11: see comments)