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Great Reading Room, State Library of Victoria, Swanston Street, C.1929

on May 06, 2023

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Great Reading Room, State Library of Victoria, Swanston Street, C.1929

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Southbank and Yarra River C.1975

Swanston Street. Dora Wilson, 1926.

Swanston Street. Oil on canvas on board. Dora Wilson 1926. In 1926, Dora Wilson painted Swanston Street. The main element in the work is Stewart Dawson’s Corner, a well-known landmark of the time and popular meeting place in the city. Dora depicts the intersection of Swanston and Collins Streets as a hive of activity. A policeman directs traffic as busy pedestrians swarm across the road or dodge out from behind automobiles lining the street. Four trams ferry passengers towards Flinders Street. In 1927 Dora travelled to Europe. She was soon entranced by the French impressionists’ command of light and colour and her art began to reflect their influence. Soon after her return to Australia, the Victorian capital celebrated its 95th birthday and it’s population neared the one million mark. With its wide streets and elegant Victorian architecture, Melbourne exuded a cultured air of prosperity. In 1931, the building occupying Stewart Dawson corner was demolished a...