Last updated 16 March 2004

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Federation

The year 2001 marks our centenary of the Federation of our colonies into a Nation

I wanted to mark the occasion without turning it into a history lesson and hit on this idea with

a chance glimpse of

Opening of 1st Parliament of Commonwealth of Australia by Duke of Cornwall & York

Australian Painting 1901    Tom Roberts 1856-1931

The painting was completed towards the end of 1903 and was always referred to by the artist as the Big Picture.  The work was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1904 and is now in the foyer of the High Court of Australia, Canberra.

and not being able to find it again on the internet

Once an idea takes shape in my head I hate to be defeated so, with the help of Hector and Lynda on a wet Christmas Eve in Larnaka, we finally tracked these down

First was this key to the painting

Key to Tom Roberts' historical painting, the opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth, 9th May, 1901

Item held National Library of Australia

Then we found this draft

Sketch for opening of Federal Parliament, 1901.    Oil on academy board ; 30.3 x 45.6 cm.

This photograph(?) was another interesting find

Tom Roberts painting 'The Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, May 9, 1901, by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York
Reproduction rights owned by the State Library of Victoria.
Library Record Number: 1039854    Accession Number: H96.222/7

Roberts left for England on 16 March 1903 in order to complete the painting. He was given the South African Room in the Imperial Institute in London where the canvas was completed. He is pictured holding palette and brushes, sitting on a wooden box which is placed on top of some wooden steps.

And now here is a bit of fun

modelled on Tom Roberts painting of the Opening of the Parliament

The big picture, with apologies to Tom Roberts

Bill Leak 1956-

This illustration was published in 'The weekend Australian' of January 25-26, 1997. 

It depicts The declaration of the Australian Republic by Dame Edna Everidge and features approximately 50 caricatures of prominent Australians.

A key to the names of the prominent people is available but I have not found it yet

 Reproduction rights owned by the National Library of Australia. You may save or print this image for private research. If you wish to use it for any other purpose you must complete the Request for permission form

Thank you

www.pictureaustralia.org

we finally found you