Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs

The Artists

Tom Roberts

TOM ROBERTS
OPENING OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA BY H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CORNWALL AND YORK, (LATER KING GEORGE V)
MAY 9 1901 (1903)

TOM ROBERTS
Born England 1856, Arrived Australia 1869, Died 1931

OPENING OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
BY H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CORNWALL AND YORK, (LATER H.M. KING GEORGE V)
MAY 9 1901 (1903)
oil on canvas, 304.5 x 509.2 cm
Collection: On permanent loan to the Parliament of Australia from the British Royal Collection
Courtesy of Parliament House Art Collection
The Department of Parliamentary Services, Canberra ACT
Photo Credit: Bruce Moore

Tom Roberts Electronic Post Card
Spread the word about Discovering Democracy in Australia Click here

The Father of Federation - Sir Henry Parkes
Tom Roberts - Sir Henry Parkes 1892

Further Information:
'The Big Picture' Andrew Mackenzie's insight

The History of 'The Big Picture' to 2001

Key to Tom Roberts Historical Painting 'The Big Picture'
Sketch of the portraits in 'The Big Picture'
Names of the 265 people in the portraits

Letter of Tom Roberts about 'The Big Picture'

Rose's Stereoscopic Views of Commonwealth Celebrations
Melbourne
Duke of York Celebrations, Melbourne 1901
Duke of York Celebrations Melbourne, 1901 Children's Fete
The Citizens Arch, Bourke Street
The Australian Stockmen and the Duke's Arch
Railway Tower, Princes Bridge Station
Chinese Procession and the Queen's Arch, Collins Street
The Butter Arch, Collins Street

Sydney
Commonwealth Procession, Martin Place, Sydney 1901
Review of Troops, Commonwealth Celebrations, Sydney 1901
Citizens Arch, Commonwealth Celebrations, Sydney 1901
Swearing-in Pavilion, Commonwealth Celebrations, Sydney 1901
Ceres Arch, Commonwealth Celebrations, Sydney 1901
American Arch Commonwealth Celebrations, Sydney 1901

The three booklets presented to Tom Roberts at the Opening of Federal Parliament
Opening of Federal Parliament 1901
Prayers for the Opening of Federal Parliament 1901
The H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York Speech 1901

Articles from The Age about the Opening of Federal Parliament
The Age, 9 May 1901
The Age, 10 May 1901

Photographs
Photograph of Tom Roberts beside 'The Big Picture'
Photograph of H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York
H.M. King George V
Photograph of H.R.H. The Duchess of Cornwall and York
Portrait photograph of H.R.H. The Duchess of Cornwall and York

Copyright Notice
No works can be copied from this site. Permission to publish or reproduce can be sought from the Parliament House Art Collection. All Rights Reserved medialaunch Pty. Ltd.

Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Us The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.