Dante 700: an Australian story
Collection, Rare Books & Arts:
To mark the 700th anniversary of the death of italian poet Dante Alighieri, we’re taking a look at the illustrative interpretations of his work by Australian artists.
A modernist pastiche: Matisse’s etchings for Joyce
New books, Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:
Read about an audacious collaboration between Henri Matisse and James Joyce for the Limited Editions Club.
Journey through the collection: swinging ‘60s Melbourne through the lens of Henry Talbot
Collection spotlights, Photography, Visual arts:
Muse over the iconic, mid-century photographs of Henry Talbot. Featuring the fashion and advertising world of 1950s and 60s Melbourne.
Book extract: The Wardian case by Luke Keogh
Read an edited extract from previous fellow Luke Keogh’s award-winning book The Wardian case: how a simple box moved plants and changed the world.
Journey through the collection: Rick Amor
Collection spotlights, Painting:
These works by Rick Amor depict a quiet Port Phillip Bay, where constructions stand among nature, bearing the stains of passing time.
Bat-Man unmasks fears of moral corruption
Comic books, Our stories, Rare Books & Arts:
In the early hours of Monday the 26th of May 1952, a conspicuous-looking sedan is found patrolling Melbourne’s Bourke Street. To the front and rear of the car, two long aerials are poised ready to intercept any incoming police chatter. The radiator holds a makeshift flag… Read More ›
Read all about it!
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:
From as far back as the 1850s, newsboys were a common sight on the streets of Melbourne. Most were poor and many were illiterate. But they were not without their friends and allies…
Trim, the Aussie cat
Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:
Adventurous, fearless, bundles of joy, cats have always accompanied their humans on their endeavours and kept their spirits high. This is such a story – Trim, the fearless Aussie cat!
In conversation: curator and historian Luke Keogh
Previous Redmond Barry fellow Luke Keogh’s latest book details a fascinating untold story in natural history, and was recently shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s History Award.
Such was life
The sky is the limit: pioneering aviator Freda Thompson
In 1934, Australian aviator, Freda Thompson, made history as the first Australian woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Thompson was a pioneer who believed the sky was the limit – she wanted to reach that limit, to feel the adrenaline, to just fly.
Arts
Ailsa O’Connor: highlights of a life of socialist activism, feminism and art
Ailsa O’Connor (1921-1980) was a political activist, painter, sculptor, author and teacher. Throughout her art career she was a member of the Communist Party and associated with the Socialist Realist Group.
