The collectors: Australian art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

At this event, guests heard about three prominent 19th-century art collectors: Alfred Felton, Sir Russell Grimwade and Dr Samuel Ewing. These collectors, who all lived in Melbourne, shared common interests in the pharmaceutical industry, philanthropy and art. This discussion examined the fascinating lives of these individuals who have helped shape Melbourne’s fine art collections and whose ongoing support contributes to the development of Melbourne’s cultural fabric.

Speakers:

Alisa Bunbury is Grimwade Collection Curator at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne. She is currently researching the Sir Russell and Lady Grimwade Bequest. Formerly, Bunbury was a curator in Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Victoria, specialising in 18th and 19th-century prints.

Alison Inglis is an Associate Professor in Art History and for many years has coordinated the Master of Art Curatorship program at the University of Melbourne. Her areas of expertise include 19th-century British and Australian art and also museum studies. Inglis has researched and published on Alfred Felton and the art he collected.

Cathleen Rosier is a Masters candidate researching the Ewing Collection at the University of Melbourne.

This event was presented in partnership with Yarra Libraries and the Ewing Trust.