Visual arts | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Visual arts

Showing 37 - 46 of 46 results
The Birds of Australia Gould - Printed plate
Conserving John Gould’s Australian Bird Pattern Plates

Learn about the treatment work our conservators have recently done on thepattern plates for the supplement to The Birds of Australia by John Gould.

Blog
Lintel Sculpture above the National Library's main entrance doors

Loui Seselja, Bas relief over the entrance doors of the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 2004, nla.obj-131049918

Artwork in the foyer, exterior and grounds

The National Library has a large collection of sculptures built into and around the building, and beautiful tapestries hanging in our foyer.

Information article
Three colourful tapestry panels depicting Australian landscapes hung in the main reading room

Alice Kettle (b.1961), Australian Landscapes I–IV 2000 ca.1998 ; 4 machine-embroidered tapestries, Main Reading Room

Artwork in the Main Reading Room

The Main Reading Room houses a collection of sculptures and paintings inspired by Indigenous stories of the Australian landscape.

Information article
A tapestry titled 'Finding Kenneth Myer'

John Young, John Dicks, Milena Paplinska, Cheryl Thornton (weavers), Finding Kenneth Myer 2011, wool and cotton; 230 x 302cm, Special Collections Reading Room

Artwork in the Special Collections Reading Room

The Special Collections Reading Room houses art relating to Australian history and culture in the post-colonial era, focusing on modern Australian people and places.

Information article
Cover of the book 'Ellis Rowan: A Life in Pictures'
Ellis Rowan: A Life in Pictures

Christine Morton-Evans

Book
NLA Publishing book
Collection guide
Ryan Collection

More than 1,000 comics, mostly published in Australia and including some overseas titles reprinted in Australia, from the 1940s to 1970s, as well as fanzines and personal papers.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Power Collection

Ten signed stencil prints by Pablo Picasso. 54 sketchbooks of John Power, a small group of personal papers of Power, and 262 books relating to art and architecture.

Collection guide
Watercolour painting of a red flower with green leaves and stem on a brown background

Adam Forster, Telopea speciosissima, 1916 Oct, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135505809

Forster Collection

911 water colours by Adam Forster of Australian flowers, painted between 1916 and 1927.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Lawlor Collection

Papers including letters, newspaper cuttings, published caricatures, original cartoons, letters and literary manuscripts, mostly related to Australian and New Zealander writers, journalists, composers and artists.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Friend Collection

Explore the artistic legacy and complex history of Donald Friend through diaries, letters, and personal papers. 

Collection guide

Need help?

Our librarians are here to guide you.

Ask a librarian