TJC recently received a generous grant from the Trustees of the Colin Holden Charitable Trust of $15,000. This grant will support the TJC lecture program and the purchase of archival materials for the works on paper collection. Dr Colin Holden (1951–2016) was an author, historian, curator, collector, and philanthropist. He was passionate about encouraging others to see the world differently through art, literature, and music. During his lifetime, he shared his extensive knowledge through his many books; the exhibitions he guest–curated at Geelong Gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the State Library of Victoria; through numerous public lectures; and the soirees and fund–raising exhibitions he hosted at his home. Dr Holden’s collection included fine examples of eighteenth– and nineteenth–century decorative arts and furniture, but his primary collecting interest was prints. His significant collection features French portrait prints (1640–1770); eighteenth– century representations of Roman ruins and Venice; and prints that reflect the reinterpretation of European themes in Australia. Subjects of his books range from the works of Italian printmaker Giovanni Battista Piranesi; to Lionel Lindsay’s travel in Spain; a biography of print curator Dr Ursula Hoff; and histories of St Peter’s Eastern Hill and Christ Church South Yarra. Dr Holden’s commitment to print scholarship continues through the Colin Holden Charitable Trust. The Trust primarily supports the activities of Geelong Gallery, where works from Dr Holden’s print collection are regularly on display. We thank the Colin Holden Charitable Trust for their grant to create stories for our audiences, as well as safeguarding our Collection for the future.

This article was originally published in fairhall, issue 30, March 2021, pp  31.