The Annual Bulletin of the National Gallery of Victoria 1961 presents a range of scholarly essays about the following topics: recent additions to the Greek vase collection, works by Chinese artist Shen Chou, a Japanese screen by Hagetsu Tosatsu and portraits of Tasmanian Aboriginals by Robert Dowling.

Works by Charles Blackman, including The boat, Dreaming in the street, Flowers on the hill and Nude are also profiled.