ADL362172 Passing Trams, c.1931 (oil on board) by Clarice Beckett (1887-1935) Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
NGV123208 Endormies, c. 1904 (oil on canvas) by Rupert Charles Wolston Bunny (1864-1947) National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Australia/ Felton Request
SYD235919 Sofala, 1947 (oil on canvas on hardboard) by Sir George Russell Drysdale (1912-81) Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
NLA76256 Cotton-eared Marmoset, 1767 (gouache on vellum) by Sydney Parkinson (1745-71)/ National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia
A Unique History
The National Library of Australia is the country’s largest reference library housing nearly 9 million items relating to the history and heritage of Australia and New Zealand, including prints and drawings, paintings, maps, manuscripts and photographs. The first visual records of Australia came from European explorers and typically cover flora and fauna research, such as the cotton-eared Marmoset (right) by Sydney Parkinson, Captain James Cook's botanical illustrator.
Another wonderful resource covering Australia's unique history is the Mitchell Library or State Library of New South Wales in Sydney. With almost 5 million items in the collection, the broad collection features Aboriginal studies and Antarctic exploration, alongside Australia’s cultural history and includes manuscripts, maps, newspapers and more than a million photographs.
NLA70379 Settlement at Norfolk Island, c. 1835 (w/c) by Thomas Seller (19th century) National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia
NSW71468 One of the New South Wales aborigines befriended by Governor Macquarie, 1811-21 (panel) by Lieutenant George Austin Woods (19th century) Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
An Australian Original: Sidney Nolan
Bridgeman also represents the estate of Sir Sidney Nolan, arguably Australia’s most significant and internationally acclaimed 20th century artist. Nolan was prolific and experimental, not limiting his repertoire to one style or technique. As a young artist, Nolan was bold and modern using simplified forms, the most famous of which are his paintings of Ned Kelly, the well known outlaw in Australian folklore. In the 1960s he explored the use of alternative materials, and in the 1980s Nolan expanded his focus to landscapes and florals. Nolan’s innovative and powerful paintings capture the rugged character of the Australian experience.
NGA352078 Ned Kelly, 1946 (enamel on composition board) by Sir Sidney Nolan (1917-92) National Gallery of Australia, Canberra/ Gift of Sunday Reed 1977
AGN270282 Bird over Harbour, Sydney (ripolin on board) by Sir Sidney Nolan (1917-92) Private Collection/ Agnew's, London, UK