National Gallery of Victoria - the largest and oldest in Australia, public art gallery. Founded in Melbourne in 1861. In December 2003, funds the gallery was divided into two major collections - Gallery of Art and the International Center Ian Potter. The first is located in a building on St Kilda, which was built in 1968, designed by Roy Grounds in the heart of the cultural quarter of the city. And Ian Potter Centre is located in a building at Federation Square.

At a time when the gallery was first opened, Victoria was only 10 years of independence of the colonies, but the gold rush made her the richest regions of Australia, Melbourne - the largest city in the country. Generous gifts from wealthy citizens have allowed the National Gallery to begin work as the purchase of old and contemporary artists, including abroad. Today it funds holds more than 65,000 works of art.

In 1867, when the Gallery was opened an art school, a former leading institute of arts in Australia until 1910. Among its graduates - some famous Australian painters.

In the late 19th - early 20th century Australian art flourished, making it possible to collect Gallery significant collection of works by local artists, reflected the integration of European art in the unique culture of Australia. One of the most famous works of the time - "Pioneer" by Frederick McCubbin, written in 1904.

Among the works of the International Art Gallery you can see paintings by Bernini, Palmetstsano, Rembrandt, Rubens, Tiepolo, Tintoretto, Veronese and Uccello. Here gathered superb collection of ancient Greek vases, Egyptian artifacts, European ceramics, etc.

The Ian Potter Centre, opened in 2003, one can see the works of Australian artists, including the subjects of culture and life of the Australian Aborigines.