Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Music, Performing Arts, Theatre, Victorian history:
Take a trip through the State Library archives to remember the many incarnations of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre from 1854 until it closed its doors in May 2014.
The feminist resurgence in the period 1960-1990, referred to as second wave feminism, had a significant impact on the art world. Political graphics were no exception. This blog explores the State Library’s rich and extensive holdings of feminist posters by women artists from Melbourne’s alternative poster collectives.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Photography, Social life & customs, Such was life:
The Etkins collection consists of wonderful portraits of people and places throughout 19th century Victoria.
Explore the wonderful summery artworks of Aileen Brown, and see how her intricate linocut prints are made.
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.
