Tuesday, 24 June
6.50pm

The National Library of Australia is the country's largest reference library with over nine million items in its collection, including a surprising number of art works. Yet visitors to the Library glimpse only a fraction of the collection with many fragile items unable to be placed on permanent display.

Former director of the National Gallery of Australia Betty Churcher presents an insider's guide to some of the Library's art treasures, which are rarely on public display. From her unique vantage point, Churcher makes intriguing historical connections between paintings and engravings, photography, manuscripts and artefacts, illustrated journals and diaries.

These are fascinating tales about the creative process and the works themselves that offer a tantalising insight into Australia's culture and heritage.

Episode 4: A Passionate Collector
New Zealander Rex Nan Kivell was an avid collector of anything to do with 18th century exploration and the early settlement of Australia and New Zealand. His fine collection of 12,000 items ranges across a third of the globe and spans three centuries. Among its priceless treasures are one of the earliest maritime atlases of the world, Dell'Arcano del Mare (Secrets of the Sea), compiled in Italy in 1643; a catalogue of sea monsters; the first map of the coastline of Australia and even a handsome silver kettle with built-in spirit lamp given by Queen Charlotte to Sir Joseph Banks. But Sir Rex de Charambec Nan Kivell, as he became, concealed a secret from the world - he was born Reginald Nankivell, the illegitimate son of a New Zealander.