Historical collection

Historical works in the collection include a selection of old master prints and drawings by English artists such as a 1793 William Blake engraving from the Gates of Paradise series, two early 19th century lampoons by James Gillray and a preliminary pencil drawing of a horse’s head by John Constable. Artists from abroad who at one time visited or made Australia their home such as Nicholas Chevalier, William Strutt and Bernard Hall also feature in the collection with a selection of their studies and sketches for major paintings.

The Gallery’s works on paper collection has specialist holdings of a number of artists including Russell Drysdale, Arthur Boyd, Sam Fullbrook and Charles Blackman. Other highlights include a 1930s colour linocut by Jessie Macintosh and a large ink drawing of the sea by Brett Whiteley which were both donated in 1997.

Image: Henry Reilly, Mt Martha - from Dromana, 1875, oil on canvas, Purchased 2014