Summary

A framed sepia photograph of the interior of the National Museum of Victoria located at Melbourne University taken by Charles Nettleton, circa 1871.

This photograph is part of a small group of five photographs and one glass negative taken by Charles Nettleton during 1870 - 1895. They feature views of significant Melbourne buildings and interiors including the Treasury Building, the Old Museum, and the (Royal) Exhibition Building. The small collection is significant as it provides a visual record of Melbourne's early development, and also reveals the work of an important local photographer.

Charles Nettleton was a prolific outdoor photographer who worked over a period of forty years in Australia, after moving to Melbourne from the United Kingdom in 1854. He became well known for his photographic expertise and in 1858, opened his own studio. In 1867, he was appointed official Royal photographer in Australia and he also worked as the official police photographer for over 25 years in the 1860s - 1880s. His photographs were exhibited at international exhibitions in Dublin in 1865, Paris in 1867 and Sydney in 1879. Nettleton retired in 1890, as new dry plate photographic technology made the wet place process he employed redundant. His photographs are held by major institutions around Australia.

Description of Content

A framed sepia photograph of the interior of the National Museum of Victoria located at Melbourne University taken by Charles Nettleton, circa 1871. The photo shows many cabinets and displays of animals, bones and artefacts along the two levels of the hall.

Physical Description

The photo is mounted on card which has yellowed with age and is framed in an ornate, gold coloured frame The glass from the frame is missing. The photo is backed with brown paper, most of which is missing and is hung with wire secured on either side of the frame with a screw-ring.

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