The NGV’s Permanent Collection has grown through the generosity of our community, enabling the NGV to house the most significant collection of art in the region, accessible to people from local and regional communities, here and around the world. The Felton Bequest of 1904 transformed the NGV into a major gallery with international recognition. Bequests continue to be an important funding today – through donations of works of art* and through estate distributions. A bequest can allow the NGV to purchase vital art, present public programs, fund publications, conserve works of art, and to digitise collections. The following pages celebrate artworks acquired through bequests. We are proud to acknowledge all of our bequest donors for their sincere acts of giving.
*only works of art that meet the NGV collection criteria can be accepted. Please speak with the NGV team if you are considering bequeathing artworks.
Kumpuirntily (Lake Disappointment)
2005-2008
Look 10, Bar coat
designed 2012; 2017 {made, autumn-winter 2012–13}
Pair of Fu dogs
Qing dynasty 1644-1912
Bowl
Ming dynasty, Wanli period 1573-1620
Polar bear
(Shirokuma 白熊)
(c. 1930)
Diwali celebrations at Kotah
(c. 1690)
Preparing to go out
(Yosoou hitobito 粧ふ人々)
1935
Endormies
(c. 1904)
Yarra flats
1871
The Banquet of Cleopatra
(1743-1744)
Vétheuil
(1879)
Scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Titania and Bottom
(1848-1851)
Portrait group: The singer Farinelli and friends
(c. 1750-1752)
Glasgow
(c. 1930)
Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke
(1633-1636)
from the Iconography (Icones Principum...) series
Weaver Birds
Minerva without a helmet
(Minerve sans casque)
(1904)
Contrology
(2016)