Cowen Gallery

Originally constructed for the National Gallery of Victoria between 1892 and 1941, the Cowen Gallery consists of three elegant rooms, the main hall and two rotundas.

The Cowen Gallery houses a permanent exhibition of oil paintings and portrait sculptures drawn from the Library's Pictures Collection. There are 150 works on display - 137 oil paintings and 13 marble portrait busts. All illustrate various aspects of the history, culture and development of Victoria and its people. Each work has a detailed label providing key information about the subject and the artist.

The Gallery also hosts occasional temporary exhibitions.

Where is the Cowen Gallery?

The Cowen Gallery is situated at the centre of the Library, between the Redmond Barry Reading Room and the Information Centre. Entry to the Gallery is via the stairs or the lifts located in the central lobby. The exact location is clearly identified on the Library floor plan.

Main hall

This is the room that you first enter when you visit the Cowen Gallery. Originally built in 1892, this beautifully proportioned rectangular room has been carefully restored to reflect its Victorian heritage. Soft grey walls, parquetry floors, skylights and carved solid timber doors set the scene for the paintings and portrait busts which are displayed in this room. Featuring views of Victoria and Melbourne, as well as important representations of the exploration and settlement of Australia, these works include historically and culturally significant works such as William Strutt's Black Thursday 1851 (removed in late 2006 for conservation), Thomas Robertson's Marco Polo and a colossal head of Lord Melbourne.

Rotundas

Flanking the main hall are two intimate portrait galleries known as the North and South Rotundas. The North Rotunda, built in 1941, has high vaulted white ceilings and opulent red walls which form the perfect backdrop to the 19th century paintings and busts displayed in this room. As you wander around this octagonal room take the time to familiarise yourself with some of Victoria's early settlers and other individuals who made important contributions to the history of this state, including Charles Summers’ marble bust of Sir Redmond Barry - Supreme Court judge, politician and key founder of the Library.

The South Rotunda, built in 1929, is painted a more contemporary blue in keeping with the 20th century works housed in this room. These include portraits of authors, artists, and people who have contributed to the rich collections of the Library. Adjacent to South Rotunda is the Library's Heritage Collections Reading Room where rare and precious items from the collection can be viewed by appointment.

When is this gallery open?

The Cowen Gallery can be visited during standard Library opening hours.

Venue hire

The Cowen Gallery is one of several spaces in the Library that is available for hire.