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Established in 1961, the National Gallery of Victoria has two galleries - NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Both buildings offer a rich and endlessly fascinating visual arts experience, with works ranging from remote antiquity to the present day. The development of the NGV’s International art collection is a fascinating study of philanthropy, civic pride and ambition. In the 19th century, Melbourne was a city fuelled by the Gold Rush, and pastoralist wealth. In 1861, the National Gallery of Victoria opened its doors in the Swanston Street building which now houses the State Library of Victoria, providing cultural and academic depth to the young colony. At the time of Federation in 1901, Victoria thrived as the political, economic and social heart of Australia. An increasingly affluent community viewed the Gallery as vital to the city’s soul and development. Generous benefactors — most notably, Mr Alfred Felton, a Melbourne businessman who bequeathed half of his personal fortune to the Gallery — enabled the NGV to compete on the international art market. Thus one of the world’s finest art collections emerged. The NGV Collection of Australian art numbers almost 25,000 works and includes paintings, decorative arts, photography, prints and drawings, sculpture, fashion and textiles and jewellery. It is a collection of great depth and complexity, which reflects the many histories of Australian art from the well known to the unfamiliar. The collection presents the story of Australian art through a comprehensive program of temporary exhibitions and extensive NGV Collection displays.