Arts & literature

Newly digitised works on paper

Newly digitised works on paper

August 16, 2017

Arts & literature, Such was life:

After ten years, the Library’s Works on Paper project has resulted in the digitisation of more than 11,000 original drawings, prints and watercolours, creating an extraordinary archive of unique Victorian artworks.

The owl and the heiress: The life of one book over six centuries

The owl and the heiress: The life of one book over six centuries

March 29, 2017

Arts & literature, Our stories:

What do Athena’s little owl, an unashamedly unmarried Chicago heiress, and the Heide School of modernist Australian artists have in common? A book in our collection, as it turns out… Recently I… Read More ›

Federici’s ghost

Federici’s ghost

March 7, 2017

Arts & literature, Such was life:

Melbourne’s Princess Theatre has been host to many fine performers over the years, but the most famous performance of all belongs to its ghost, Federici.

WWI posters from the Library’s collection

WWI posters from the Library’s collection

April 21, 2016

Arts & literature, Such was life:

State Library Victoria has a significant collection of British, French and Australian WWI posters. As the war progressed, changes emerge in the content and themes of the images; through recruitment, the symbolism of women and to our heroes on the Front.

Elves and fairies by Ethel Jackson Morris

Elves and fairies by Ethel Jackson Morris

September 12, 2014

Arts & literature, Such was life:

For many months a charming illustration of a fairy child and a kookaburra has graced the walls of the Library’s Cowen Gallery in the exhibition Once upon a time: a… Read More ›

Unexpected sketches

Unexpected sketches

June 28, 2014

Arts & literature, Such was life:

A library patron recently led me to a beautiful book containing sketches by the prison artist William Stanford. The patron had an old newspaper article which mentioned the book, but… Read More ›

Victorian Historical Journal 1911-2012 now online

May 9, 2014

Arts & literature, Such was life:

For over a year, we’ve been providing free access to digitised copies of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria’s magazine for 1911-1954.  Thanks to the Society, we’re now able to make Victorian Historical… Read More ›

Gippsland watercolours

Gippsland watercolours

January 20, 2014

Arts & literature, Such was life:

Daniel Long’s sketchbook dates from 1856 and contains charming watercolours and pencil drawings depicting various locations in Gippsland.

Rare Australian poetry acquired by the Library

Rare Australian poetry acquired by the Library

December 13, 2013

Arts & literature, Such was life:

The Library has recently acquired a small and very rare volume of Australian poetry. John Manifold’s Verses 1930–1933 was written while Manifold was a high school student and published when he… Read More ›

Sketchbooks of Victoria

Sketchbooks of Victoria

November 12, 2013

Arts & literature, Such was life:

Charles Edward Bruges Hammond was born in London in 1870. He left home at fifteen, sailing to New Zealand and Australia. For some years he moved between England and Australia… Read More ›