Significance

This photograph is of a most significant event in the history of the Commonwealth of Australia - the opening of its first parliament. It was actually presented to the British Crown where it remained with the Royal Collection until 1957 when it returned to Australia on loan - now assumed to be permanent loan although that has never been ratified. It is displayed in the Parliament House building.
It is believed to have been donated to the Museum around the time of the centenary celebrations of Federation.

Physical description

This is a photograph of a famous Australian painting by Tom Roberts which was completed in 1903 after 2.5 years of work. It was a painting of the opening of the first parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by the Duke of Cornwall & York (later George V) on May 9, 1901, at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. The original painting is large and contains 269 separate portraits. This photograph is laminated.