In 1883 John Horbury Hunt, an architect in private practice, was engaged by the Gallery's Trustees to design a permanent gallery.
Though Hunt submitted four detailed designs in various styles between 1884 and 1895, his work came to nothing apart from a temporary building in The Domain.
With raw brick walls and a saw-tooth roof, it was denounced in the press as the "Art Barn".

Newly appointed Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon, secured the prestigious commission over John Horbury Hunt in 1895.
Vernon believed that the Gothic style admitted greater individuality and richness 'not obtainable in the colder and unbending lines of Pagan Classic.'
The Trustees were not convinced and demanded a classical temple to art, not unlike William Henry Playfair's Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, opened in 1859.

Vernon's building, housing eight daylight lit courts, was built in four stages.
The first stage was commenced in 1896 and opened in May 1897.
By 1901 the entire southern half of the building was finished.
A newspaper article at the time noted:
Only one wing of the building, about one fourth of the whole structure, is at present completed, and gives rich promise of future beauty.
The style is early Greek.
The façade is built of thracyte and freestone.
The interior is divided into four halls, each 100 feet by 30 feet, communicating with each other by pillared archways.
The lighting is almost perfect, designs for the roof having been furnished by London correspondents after careful study of all the latest improvements in European galleries.
The walls are coloured a chill neutral green shade, which makes an excellent background.

Vernon proposed that his oval lobby lead into an equally imposing Central Court.
His plans were not accepted.
Until 1969 his lobby led, by a short descent from the entrance level, to the three 'temporary' northern galleries designed by Hunt.

In 1909 the front of the Gallery was finished and after this date nothing more was built of Vernon's designs.
In the 1930s plans were suggested for the completion of this part of the Gallery but the Great Depression and other financial constraints lead to their abandonment.
In 1883 John Horbury Hunt, an architect in private practice, was engaged by the Gallery's Trustees to design a permanent gallery. Though Hunt submitted four detailed designs in various styles between 1884 and 1895, his work came to nothing apart from a temporary building in The Domain. With raw brick walls and a saw-tooth roof, it was denounced in the press as the "Art Barn".
Newly appointed Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon, secured the prestigious commission over John Horbury Hunt in 1895. Vernon believed that the Gothic style admitted greater individuality and richness 'not obtainable in the colder and unbending lines of Pagan Classic.' The Trustees were not convinced and demanded a classical temple to art, not unlike William Henry Playfair's Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, opened in 1859.
Vernon's building, housing eight daylight lit courts, was built in four stages. The first stage was commenced in 1896 and opened in May 1897. By 1901 the entire southern half of the building was finished. A newspaper article at the time noted:
Only one wing of the building, about one fourth of the whole structure, is at present completed, and gives rich promise of future beauty. The style is early Greek. The façade is built of thracyte and freestone. The interior is divided into four halls, each 100 feet by 30 feet, communicating with each other by pillared archways. The lighting is almost perfect, designs for the roof having been furnished by London correspondents after careful study of all the latest improvements in European galleries. The walls are coloured a chill neutral green shade, which makes an excellent background.
Vernon proposed that his oval lobby lead into an equally imposing Central Court. His plans were not accepted. Until 1969 his lobby led, by a short descent from the entrance level, to the three 'temporary' northern galleries designed by Hunt.
In 1909 the front of the Gallery was finished and after this date nothing more was built of Vernon's designs. In the 1930s plans were suggested for the completion of this part of the Gallery but the Great Depression and other financial constraints lead to their abandonment.
Art Gallery of New South Wales