Historic Painting of First Parliament to be Recreated 125 Years Later

Topic: History

More than 12,000 people attended the first Australian parliament in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building in 1901.

The opening of Australia's first parliament in 1901 was a rare event without rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne.

The event was always going to be held in Melbourne, with its Royal Exhibition Building being the only suitable venue.

After falling into disrepair, the building is now in top shape for the 125-year anniversary events this weekend.

The celebrations will mark the nation-building moment on May 9, 1901, when Australia's first federal parliament was opened.

The world heritage-listed building has the same interior decor as in 1901, having been restored in the 1990s.

There are patches of missing paint, but the building still looks good for its age.

The ornate interior of the Royal Exhibition Building was restored to its former glory in the 1990s.

This weekend's anniversary celebrations will display some treasures not seen in public for decades, including Charles Nuttall's famous painting.

Michelle Stevenson said the commemorations are a chance for Australians to think about how that moment shaped the next 125 years of democracy.

One of the exciting things about 1901 was the hope and vision that Australians had for the new nation.

That hope and vision led to complex moments like the beginning of the White Australia Policy.

The commemorations will also display one of the copies of Victorian Treaty documents, asking people to reflect on the next 125 years of democracy.

The Royal Exhibition Building was decorated with 10,000 lights for the 1901 visit of the Duke of Cornwall and York.

A historic day full of smiles and tears

The visit of George, the Duke of Cornwall and York, was the first time Australia had hosted an heir to the throne.

George, aged 35, would become king nine years later.

The royal couple's Australian visit was part of a greater tour to thank British colonies for helping with the Boer War.

An estimated half a million people lined Melbourne's streets to watch the Duke's procession.

The visit of the Duke of Cornwall and York was a significant event in Australian history.

The event at the Royal Exhibition Building was described as a magnificent demonstration and a masterpiece of organisation.

The day was full of smiles and tears, with the smiles predominating.

The worthiest of Australia were there, including men who held distinguished positions.

All that is best in politics, commerce, industry, arts, church, school, and public service was represented.

The carriage used for the duke's visit will be on display as part of commemorations this weekend.

Melbourne artist Charles Nuttall captured the moment for posterity.

Nuttall was commissioned to produce a painting that captured the grand scale of the event.

It was not an easy task, given 12,000 people were packed into the Royal Exhibition Building.

Nuttall's painting features more than 340 identifiable faces.

Charles Nuttall's painting of the opening of the first Australian parliament is on display for the first time since 2001.

After capturing initial sketches, Nuttall spent 18 months in individual sittings with dignitaries.

The painstaking process tested Nuttall's patience as much as the politicians of the day.

Prime Minister Edmund Barton was restless and irritable, while Opposition Leader George Reid tended to fall asleep.

The faces of more than 340 dignitaries are identifiable in Nuttall's painting.

Recreating Nuttall's work 125 years later

Photographer Tiffany Garvie has been commissioned to recreate Nuttall's iconic work.

Nuttall was colourblind and painted in sepia tones, but Garvie will use a more contemporary look.

We'll be going with a much more contemporary look for the photo, with some big names in the room.

Museum staff work on Nuttall's famous painting before it goes on display for the first time in 25 years.

As a Gunggari woman, Garvie is aware of the irony of commemorating an event that excluded Indigenous Australians.

Aboriginal people are the most documented people on earth, and now Garvie can flip that around.

I'm proud to capture this moment, documenting politicians and the Aboriginal community as equals.

A link to a history-making event restored

The weekend's commemorations are an opportunity to restore a place in history to one witness of the opening of parliament.

Sabina Peipers had a front row view to the Duke of Cornwall and York's speech on May 9, 1901.

The invitation to the opening of Australia's first parliament sent to Wilhelm Alexander Brahe and Sabina Peipers.

Brahe is one of the 344 dignitaries featured in Nuttall's famous painting, but Sabina is not.

In her place, Nuttall painted himself, excluding Sabina Peipers from his enduring representation of the day.

While there was exclusion, we see inclusion of women in Australia's political system from that moment onwards.

The dress worn by Sabina Peipers to the opening of the first parliament is held by Museums Victoria.

Museums Victoria holds the invitation to the event sent to Sabina and her father in its collection.

The black silk satin dress has been painstakingly cared for by the museum's conservation team.

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