Melbourne from the South Bank of the Yarra, 1840

Eleanor McGlinn's depiction of Melbourne in 1840 was based on a sketch of Batman's Hill made by George Henry Haydon (1822–1891) in 1840. Haydon's sketch was reproduced in the 'Australasian Sketcher ' on 10 July 1875.

Viewed from the south bank of the Yarra River, looking across from the turning basin, the painting shows Batman's Hill, later to become the site of Spencer Street Station. The distinctive roofline of John Pascoe Fawkner's hotel (then known as the Shakespeare Hotel) can be seen on the hill at the corner of Collins and Market streets.

Little is known about the artist, who attended the National Gallery school between 1877 and 1879, and died in West Melbourne at the age of 87.