About

This display examines how, at the end of the nineteenth century, many of Australia's most talented artists were drawn to Europe to study due to greater opportunities for patronage. Featuring paintings by the 'Heidelberg' artists Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts, Charles Conder and Arthur Streeton who all shared an interest in French Impressionism. Large scale works by AME Bale, Vida Lahey and Rupert Bunny reflect the continued emphasis on the competition or salon piece in the early twentieth century. Works by E Philips Fox and John Russell show the development of vibrant new painting styles. In addition, portraits by George W Lambert and Hugh Ramsey show how these artists took particular inspiration from Diego Velázquez and American-born artist John Singer Sargent, their contemporary, to paint with a bravura style that placed a new emphasis on the face and the figure.