Historical information

This 1870 print displays the original design of The Alfred Hospital by Charles Webb. This design was designed in 'accordance with the principles laid down by Florence Nightingale to maximise ventilation and so minimise infection' (Victorian Heritage Database). The Alfred Hospital was founded in 1869 as a result of the work of various Melbourne doctors who fought a long and internecine battle for an additional general hospital. The Alfred Hospital treated their first patient in 1871.

Prahran Council donated a parcel of low-lying land for the provision of a hospital. In 1870, the Melbourne architect, Charles Webb, won the competition to design The Alfred Hospital with his revolutionary design. Webb incorporated the "Nightingale" design - principles by designing large light filled pavilions as wards connected by covered corridors or walkways." (Alfred Health)

Physical description

This print includes small colour print mounted on a wood block. The print depicts a series of five red brick buildings at centre, with a dirt road snaking up from the left foreground to the front of the central building. A man is driving a two-horse buggy along the dirt road towards the buildings. The landscape on either side of the road consists of grassland and low vegetation, as well as four shallow circular pits (two on either side) which contain vegetation. There are two figures in the right foreground cutting grass with scythes. A flock of birds is visible in the sky in the central background, above the main hospital building. There is text printed below the image which reads 'THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE ALFRED HOSPITAL/By C.Webb, Arckitect (sic)'. The back of the wooden block to which the print is affixes is painted black, and a circular hook has been attached to the centre back of the block for hanging of the artwork. The hook is gold coloured and attached using two gold-coloured pins and a small strap. There is handwriting at bottom right of the back of the object reads 'ANN TAVELL'.

Inscriptions & markings

There is text printed below the image which reads 'THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE ALFRED HOSPITAL/By C.Webb, Arckitect (sic)'. There is handwriting at bottom right of the back of the object reads 'ANN TAVELL'.