Arts & literature

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories:

A prolific artist, Phyl Waterhouse is represented in the collections of most major Australian galleries, although she arguably did not receive sufficient critical attention in her lifetime.

Miss Talbot’s gift

Miss Talbot’s gift

February 6, 2019

Arts & literature, Such was life:

In 1937 the Library received 24 original works by William Henry Fox Talbot, one of the inventors of photography.

H.G. Wells in Australia

H.G. Wells in Australia

November 20, 2018

Arts & literature, Such was life:

In January 1939, HG Wells visited Australia and raised the ire of the Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons. His visit was brief, controversial and created international news.

Banned books

Banned books

September 26, 2018

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Throughout history, when those in power have felt threatened by the ‘dangerous’ ideas contained in the pages of books, the offending books have been banned, stripped from shelves, and even burned. But censorship isn’t just a thing of the past. Take a look at prohibited and censored books, old and new.

Illustrated children’s books: Kay Nielsen (1886-1957)

Illustrated children’s books: Kay Nielsen (1886-1957)

September 10, 2018

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Kay Nielsen’s delicate illustrations combined the exquisite motifs of the Art Nouveau movement with oriental influences. The elaborate, decorative artworks bring brilliant colour tinged with a hint of eeriness to the pages of children’s fairy tales.

The breaking of the drought: silent movies and photography

The breaking of the drought: silent movies and photography

July 30, 2018

Arts & literature, Such was life:

The Library has digitised some wonderful photographs taken during the filming of the 1920 Australian silent movie, ‘The breaking of the drought.’ Melodrama, song, dance, water ballet, seduction, ruin and redemption; this movie has it all. And a happy ending too.

fairy The babes asleep in the wood

Early history of movable and pop-up books

July 3, 2018

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Pop-up books enthral readers for many reasons: their ingenuity, their beauty, and because they challenge the two-dimensional nature of printed books. Explore the range of paper engineering mechanisms that have been used in books for more than 700 years.

Nicolaus Copernicus, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the revolutions of celestial spheres), Basil, Ex officina Henricpetrina, 1566

Books that changed the world

April 24, 2018

Arts & literature, Exhibitions, Rare Books & Arts:

Some books alter the course of history; others have profoundly influenced the way we see ourselves. Books can change the wider world, and also change our personal worlds; no two… Read More ›

Sybil Craig: a life in pictures

Sybil Craig: a life in pictures

March 7, 2018

Arts & literature, Such was life:

Melbourne artist Sybil Craig became one of the first women war artists in Australia. The Library holds Sybil’s archive which contains over 1700 photographs and more than 280 works on paper, many of which are now online.

Ruth Hollick and early Australian fashion photography

Ruth Hollick and early Australian fashion photography

August 30, 2017

Arts & literature, Such was life:

Ruth Hollick is noted for her portraits of children and of Melbourne society’s elite as well as creating some of the earliest known fashion photographs in Australia.