Summary
Letter sent from the Commonwealth Publishing Company to the Town Clerk of Richmond, inviting the municipality to purchase a photogravure print of Charles Nuttall's painting of the opening of the first federal parliament of Australia. The letter points out that there are over 300 portraits of the great and the good in the painting, making it of historic interest.
Charles Nuttall was commissioned by the Historical Picture Association to paint the opening of the first Federal Parliament on 9 May 1901. He was asked to paint as many recognisable faces as possible on a canvas 12 feet by 8 feet. He began work on 19 August 1901 in a studio within the Exhibition Building, and the painting was unveiled on 19 June 1902. There are 344 identifiable 'heads'.
Upon completion, the painting was sent to Paris so that it could be reproduced in photogravure by the art dealership of Goupil et Cie. It was reported in the Adelaide Register at the time that the 'reproduction will be the largest ever made on a steel plate, being 42 inches in length, and the people of Australia will thus be in possession of a faithful record, painted on the spot, of the greatest event in our national history'. The majority of prints of the painting carry the name of Goupil printed in the lower right corner below the image.
By March 1903, the painting had been shipped to London where photogravure prints were produced by 'Mr. James Greves, the well-known fine art publisher, of New Bridge street'. While in London, the painting was sent to Buckingham Palace so that it could be inspected by King Edward VII, before being exhibited in July at McLean's Gallery in the Haymarket.
Forty 'artist's proofs' were made available for £15 15s, another limited run of sixty-five proofs were made available for £10 10s, while the 'best India prints' could be bought relatively cheaply for £3 3s.
Copies of this 'realistic' painting were reproduced and hung in public buildings, state and secondary schools, libraries, friendly society lodges and in the homes of Australians nationwide. It was this image which helped keep Federation alive in the public's mind in the first decades of the twentieth century.
Physical Description
White paper headed with company stationary, printed writing on both sides in purple.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Cultural Gifts Donation from Susan Lancaster, 05 May 2015
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Issued By
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Printer & Publisher
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Place & Date Depicted
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Original Source
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Person Depicted
HRH George F. Duke of Cornwall & York, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, May 1901
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Person Depicted
HRH Mary Duchess of Cornwall & York, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, May 1901
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Person Depicted
Right Honourable John A. Hopetoun KT, GCMG, GCVO, PC, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, May 1901
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Inscriptions
obverse: (header)The Commonwealth Publishing Company Ltd,. / (left hand corner) F.L. NELSON /SECRETARY. /TELEPHONE 616, / BOX 318, G.P.O / (right hand corner) 375 Collins Street, / Melbourne, May 9th. 1902. / Sir,/ You will no doubt have heard of the large picture which is being painted by Mr Charles Nuttall of the " opening of the Commonwealth Parliament" by H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall & York. This painting, which is 12 ft by 6ft is now almost completed, and in about a month will be sent to Paris to be reproduced in photogravure by the most celebrated firm in the world for this class of work Messrs Goupil & Co. There are over 300 portraits in the picture, including their Royal Highnesses, with their retinue, the Governors of the other states with their staffs, all the Members of the Federal Parliament, Premiers of the states, Clergy, Consuls, Judges, citizens, and in fact all the most prominent people assembled on that occasion. This makes a representative picture of great historic interest, and I feel sure you will agree with me that a reproduction thereof would be a very appropriate decoration for your Council chamber. The photogravures will be 40" by 20", and the Artist's Proofs are now being subscribed for at the nominal price of (symbol of British pound) 10/10/0 Most of Artist's Proofs, of which there are only a limited number ( about 100 or 120) have already been disposed of, and I have no doubt that the few still available will be taken up before the public exhibition / Reverse: of the painting prior to being sent to Paris next month. Among the most recent subscribers are His Excellency the governor General and all the members of his suite. / I should be pleased to take any member of your Council to view the painting if you will make the necessary appointment, as I am sure that the great historic and artistic value of the picture will be more fully realised. / I enclose pamphlet by Mr Alexander Sutherland M.A. giving fuller particulars of the work, and also an form in case your Council should decide to order an Artist's Proof. / I should esteem it a favour if you would be kind enough to acquaint me with your intentions in the matter. / I am, Sir / your obedient Servant, (signature) (illeg) secretary. / (bottom left corner) The Town Clerk,/ Richmond.
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
200.5 mm (Width), 260 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Opening Ceremonies, Paintings, Royal Visits, Publishing, Australian Federation, 1901, Australian Federation, Celebrations, May 1901, Australian Federal Parliament Opening Ceremony, 1901, Prints
