What we collect

Art Works

There are

Over 40,000 works of art in the Pictures Collection - of documentary nature - highlighting Australia and Australian life from 1700s to 1990s, predominantly dated 1800-1920

Comprising

Drawings, watercolours, oils, lithographs, engravings, etchings and sculpture/busts, realia (eg handkerchiefs, medals)

With

Over 25,000 items online at : http: //www.nla.gov.au/catalogue/pictures

To order copies of any of the Library's art works :

Copyright is still current in art works where the artist is still alive or died less than 70 years ago. Please check with Pictures to see if you need to clear copyright before you order copies. We can help you locate the copyright holder in most instances.

Artists include

Subjects include

  • portraits
  • voyages and ships
  • topographical landscapes
  • architecture of 19th century
  • natural history

See Collection Development Policy for further information.

Acquisition

The National Library acquires art works of a documentary nature by purchase or donation, particularly through the Cultural Gifts Program. If you wish to sell or donate to the collection please contact us at: pictorial@nla.gov.au

More details about the collections

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Library in 1901 began the practice of acquiring documentary art works to record Australia and Australian life. Major contributors to the collection were: Rex Nan Kivell, E A Petherick and John Ferguson.

The works on paper are stored in mylar in map cabinets and oils are hung on screens. Storage for art works is in secure stacks in the NLA building with humidity and temperature control.

Works are featured in

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