This exhibition showcases many of the rare, beautiful and historically significant books held in the Library’s collections. Located in the galleries overlooking the magnificent La Trobe Reading Room, this exhibition celebrates the unique place of books in our hearts and minds.
Mirror of the World: Books & Ideas provides an overview of the history of book production, design and illustration, with a display of fine examples from the Library's collections dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The title of the exhibition is taken from William Caxton’s Myrrour of the Worlde (1490), one of the first illustrated books published in England.
The exhibition is divided into five major themes:
- Books and ideas - outlines the early history of books and printing.
- The book and the imagination - looks at the way books and texts have been created out of the imagination, while at the same time acting imaginatively upon us.
- Exploring the world - investigates how books have been used to explore and document the world, its landscape and topography, its inhabitants and its flora and fauna.
- Art and nature - looks at how botanical illustration unites two worlds - the scientific and the artistic.
- The artist and the book - highlights the art of the book and the role of the artist in its production.
Read more about the exhibition themes >
Audio dramatisations
These recordings complement the material in the exhibition. Using voice, sound effects and music, the Mirror of the World audio dramatisations bring some of the key figures in the history of books to life.
There are two versions of the recordings, both of which are available on this website:
Audio for the general public >
Audio for secondary students >
If you don't have an mp3 player, a small number of iPods with the audio dramatisation already pre-loaded are available for temporary loan free of charge while visiting the exhibition. Go the Library's Front Foyer Desk for more information.
Illustrations
From top left to right: William Caxton's printer's device from Myrrour of the Worlde, London, William Caxton, 1490
Marc Brody (W.H. 'Bill' Williams), The Dames in his Death, Sydney, Horwitz Publications, 1956, Courtesy of Horwitz Publications
Ferdinand Bauer, Illustrationes florae Novae Hollandiae, London, 1813
Bible, Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 1483
Etisoppo Infinity, no.6, Randwick, Etisoppo, 2004, Jun Tagami, Creative Director and Editor
Joan Blaeu, Nova et accuratissima totius terrarum orbis tabula, 1664 |
