The
painting, Chloe, and the Young & Jackson Hotel, are
other icons associated with Melbourne. The famous painting
can be found in an upstairs bar of the equally famous Young
& Jackson Hotel, opposite the Flinders Street station. A 19th century
French academic nude painting by the master painter, Jules
Lefebvre, the painting was a favourite with troops on R&R
leave in Australia during the Second World War, especially
US marines.
It is a stunning painting and the one of such
art and historical significance on display in a public hotel
in Australia.
Such
is the significance of the painting that during the time
the hotel was refurbished, it was moved to the National
Gallery of Victoria where it was exhibited.
The National
Trust and Heritage of Victoria decreed in 1988 that both
the painting and the hotel remain bound together forever.
The hotel runs free information sessions, where the origins,
history and significance of Chloe are explained.
