While treasures abound in our art galleries, many more are hidden away. At any one time, only a small percentage of a collection might be on display.
Here, curators and directors at Victoria’s regional galleries tell us about some of the oldest or most storied items in their holdings.
Emma Busowsky, curator, Bendigo Art Gallery The painting isn’t the oldest item in the collection but it is the first acquisition. By W.E.D. Stuart, it shows Pall Mall, the main boulevard in Bendigo. You can tell the artist has chosen to show the town’s affluence, depicting well-dressed women and men in top hats.
Detail of W.E.D. Stuart’s Pall Mall from Bull Street, c.1860. Credit: Courtesy Bendigo Art Gallery
At the time, circa 1860, Bendigo was establishing itself as a permanent town. Gold had been discovered in 1851. The work is also unfinished, featuring a ghostly figure. We are not sure why it is unfinished, but one theory is that the artist may have been in jail. The work centres on the hotel rather than some of the more grand buildings, which may suggest it was a commission.
Born in London in 1827, William Evans Dutton Stuart made his way here in search of gold. He did exhibit at the Royal Academy, but there is no evidence that he was made a member. (Although I note that in his obituary it said he was!)
Like so many, he came to try his fortunes on the goldfields but, also like many, he had little success so turned to other things. He established a studio as an artist – you can see in the work on the left-hand side the remains of his name. In fact, his studio was a little further up the road towards Hargreaves Street. Stuart also decorated shop signs and coaches. We know he did spend some time in Sandhurst Gaol – Bendigo was then known as Sandhurst – possibly because he hadn’t paid fines or was in debt, which wasn’t uncommon at the time.
According to Art UK , Stuart was noted as both an amateur actor with the Bendigo Volunteer Dramatic Club and as a schoolteacher.
The work is on display in Drury Court in a collection display called For the delight of the people: the origins of Bendigo Art Gallery’s collection, which runs until September 2025.
While you’re there see: Living Connections: Reflections on care, kinship, and Country . This selection of contemporary paintings by artists from across Australia, including First Nations artists and those who call Central Victoria home, highlights diverse natural environments, unique cultural
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