Hugh Ramsay Symposium - Vaughan (Director, NGA) - Ramsay + Philanthropy

There are many examples, in the history of philanthropy to art museums in Australia, of artists' families (and widows in particular) gifting key works. One of the earliest, and most consistent, commitments of this kind concerned the family of Hugh Ramsay, whose tragic death at an early age no doubt encouraged a desire to provide public access to his art. Succeeding generations of the Ramsay family have made extremely generous gifts of his works, and this process has continued. The paper will examine the history of Ramsay family benefactions to public galleries throughout Australia, especially to the NGV in Melbourne, the NGA in Canberra, and to the Queen Victoria Museum & Gallery in Launceston.