Cowen Gallery Exhibition

The Library's elegant Cowen Gallery features one of Australia's most significant collections of Victorian artworks. Explore aspects of Victoria's rich history in scenes of European settlement, early Melbourne streetscapes and portraits of some of Australia's most influential figures. This stunning collection includes works by Frederick McCubbin, John Glover, William Strutt, Danila Vassilieff, Percival Ball and John Francis. The Cowen Gallery includes two adjacent rooms: the Red Rotunda and the Blue Rotunda. The Red Rotunda contains 19th-century paintings and sculptures of some of Victoria's early settlers and other individuals who made important contributions to the history of this state, including Sir Redmond Barry, William Buckley and William Barak. The Blue Rotunda houses 20th-century works such as portraits of authors, artists and others who have contributed to the rich culture of Victoria. Throughout the year, the gallery also hosts occasional temporary exhibitions.