John Shirlow (1869-1936) John Shirlow was the first Australian to make etching the basis of his career. Schooled in Melbourne, he studied for a time with Artur Loureiro and attended design classes at the National Gallery School from 1890 to 1895. Specialising in renderings of old Melbourne buildings, which are now of great historical interest, he drew directly onto the plate in reverse. In 1929 he founded etching classes at the Working Men's Institute. Throughout his life a prominent figure on the Victorian art scene, he was involved in various choirs and bushwalked with R.H. Croll and C.J. Dennis. He was a Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria from 1922 to 1936. (http://www.portrait.gov.au/people/john-shirlow-1869)Etched bookplate for R.M. Chirnside showing the head of the racehorse 'Linass'. Posthumous printing from the original etching plate in 2010.On plate "Ex Libris R.M. Chirnside Linass"bookplate, john shirlow, r.m. chirnside, linass, etching, printmaking, horse, racehorse