Melbourne

Antique Views of Melbourne, Victoria

This category showcases original antique views and prints of Melbourne, one of Australia’s most dynamic colonial cities. Following the discovery of gold in the 1850s, Melbourne grew rapidly, and artists and lithographers recorded its transformation from a modest settlement into a thriving urban centre with distinctive architecture, streetscapes and civic life.

Views of Melbourne often emphasise familiar landmarks such as the harbour, North and South Yarra rivers, early public buildings, thoroughfares and commercial districts. Drawn from sketches made by artists on the ground, these images were translated into lithographs, engravings and aquatints intended for publication, documentation and public distribution.

Artists including S. T. Gill, Conrad Martens and their contemporaries captured both the everyday bustle and grand public occasions within the city, offering an invaluable visual archive of Melbourne’s urban character and growth. These original prints are prized by collectors for their historical significance, recognisable locations and artistic merit.