Rare Books & Arts

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

December 10, 2024

Ask a librarian, Painting, Victorian history:

Cavalacde of Transport, The Story of Fire and The history of Australian thoroughbred racing are some of Melbourne’s largest and most seen artworks. These were from the hands of Harold Freedman, locally born and bred, whose exploration of monumental art came later in his life.

Broken glass 2: eclectic boogaloo. More imperfect gems from the Pictures Collection

Broken glass 2: eclectic boogaloo. More imperfect gems from the Pictures Collection

November 21, 2024

Ask a librarian, Photography, Preservation:

In ‘Broken Glass (part 1)’, we looked at how the Library captures glass plate negatives, and explored some interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection. In this – part 2 – we look at how the Library houses the negatives and show some more examples of unexpected beauty.

Broken glass: accidental beauty in the Library’s photographic collection

Broken glass: accidental beauty in the Library’s photographic collection

November 7, 2024

Ask a librarian, Photography:

We are always looking for that perfect image of the past. While often seen as a detriment, broken glass and chemical emulsion damage on early photographic glass plate negatives can have their own particular beauty. Explore a selection of interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection.

Discovering Sylvia Plath’s novel: The Bell Jar

Discovering Sylvia Plath’s novel: The Bell Jar

October 27, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Rare Books & Arts:

In honour of Sylvia Plath’s 92nd birthday, we explore the resources available at the Library for exploring the themes and context of Plath’s only published novel: The Bell Jar

Portrait of Ken Pound for the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project, 2010. Photo by Gwenda Davey. This work is in copyright. National Library of Australia; nla.obj-228944556

‘It really belongs to you people anyway…’: The story of Ken Pound

August 19, 2024

Collection, Rare Books & Arts:

To celebrate the Children’s Book Council of Australia Week, we pay tribute to the life of children’s literature collector, Ken Pound, and the collection he has left for us all.

Nineteenth century Victorians

Nineteenth century Victorians

December 31, 2023

Photography, Social life & customs, Such was life:

The Etkins collection consists of wonderful portraits of people and places throughout 19th century Victoria.

Just digitised: Aileen Brown’s linocuts

Just digitised: Aileen Brown’s linocuts

December 22, 2023

Digitisation, Visual arts:

Explore the wonderful summery artworks of Aileen Brown, and see how her intricate linocut prints are made.

3D modelling for ‘Beyond the Book’, bringing rare books to life by photogrammetry technique

3D modelling for ‘Beyond the Book’, bringing rare books to life by photogrammetry technique

October 9, 2023

Digitisation, Rare Books & Arts:

Learn more about the meticulous and extensive photogrammetry work undertaken by the Library’s Digital Production team in preparation for the digital exhibition, Beyond the Book: A digital journey through the treasures of the Emmerson Collection.

Conservators prepare rare treasures for new digital exhibition

Conservators prepare rare treasures for new digital exhibition

September 26, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Rare Books & Arts:

Come behind-the-scenes and learn how our conservators prepared a range of rare treasures for the new online exhibition, Beyond the Book: A digital journey through the John Emmerson Collection.

A painting shows the residents of the housing commission tower in Flemington during the temporary lockdown in July 2020.

Just digitised: High rise towers

September 22, 2023

Digitisation, Painting:

The painting ‘High rise towers’ looks at the lockdown imposed on the residents of the Flemington commission units in 2020.