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In the late 19th century, impressionism swept through the art world. In Australia, a group of young artists embraced the new movement – they would meet in artist’s camps and paint en plein air. Among them was a young Arthur Streeton who would in due course become one of Australia’s most loved and respected artists.  

Wayne Tunnicliffe has curated an outstanding retrospective of Streeton’s work. Wayne is Head Curator of Australian art at the Art Gallery of NSW, and the retrospective gathers together over 150 of Streeton’s works, some not seen in public in over 100 years. This is Streeton as he has never been seen before.

Wayne had the idea for the exhibition when he was curatorial adviser to an exhibition of Australian impressionists at the National Gallery in London. It was clear to him that Streeton stood out as the most significant landscape painter in the group.

It makes sense that this retrospective is held at the Art Gallery of NSW. Not only does the Gallery have the largest collection of Streetons anywhere in the world, but they started buying his work in 1890 when he was an emerging artist at only 23 years of age. 

In this episode we explore Streeton’s life: his early years, his meeting some of the key figures in Australian art, his experience of life in London and during WWI, and his later years back in Australia. We also dig deep into a couple of the works with Wayne providing some fascinating insights.

To hear the interview press ‘play’ beneath the above feature photo. You can see images of the works we talk about below.

Streeton opens at the Art Gallery of NSW on 7 November 2020 and runs until 14 February 2021. To purchase tickets to the exhibition click here.

Video excerpt from the podcast interview with Wayne Tunnicliffe on the forthcoming exhibition ‘Streeton’. Here we talk about the iconic painting ‘Fire’s On’ from the AGNSW’s collection. To hear the full audio podcast episode (and more about this painting) click on the ‘play’ button under the feature photo at the top of this page.
‘Golden Summer, Eaglemont’, 1889, oil on canvas, 81.3 x 152.6cm
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 1995

‘Still glides the stream, and shall for ever glide’ 1890, oil on canvas, later mounted on hardboard, 82.6 x 153 cm
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, purchased 1890 Photo: Jenni Carter, AGNSW
‘Spring’, 1890, oil on canvas on plywood, 81.4 x 152.6cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Gift of Mrs Margery Pierce, 1978
‘Fire’s on’, 1891, oil on canvas 225.5 x 164 cm,
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Purchased 1893 Photo: Jenni Carter, AGNSW
‘From McMahon’s Point – fare one penny’ 1890 oil on canvas 117.7 x 97.5 cm National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Purchased 1972
‘The purple noon’s transparent might’ 1896 oil on canvas, 123 x 123 cm National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, purchased 1896 33-2 Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
‘The Grand Canal’ 1908 oil on canvas, 93 x 169 cm Collection of Susan Clarke, Victoria
Photo: Glen Watson
Arthur Streeton ‘Balloons on fire’ 1918 oil on canvas 63.4 × 76.2 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Gilbee Bequest, 1918
Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
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