Rural landscape Heidelberg School
Louis Buvelot, born Abram-Louis Buvelot, was a Swiss landscape painter who lived 17 years in Brazil and following 5 years back in Switzerland stayed 23 years in Australia, where he influenced the Heidelberg School of painters. Buvelot is best known for his great contribution to Australian art. His works, mostly oil landscapes, are quite well regarded, but perhaps his impact was even greater as a tutor of several members of the Heidelberg School. His enthusiasm for plein air painting (that is, painting directly in the open air) was a key characteristic of those artists' work.
Norah Gurdon was an Australian artist. Gurdon attended the National Gallery School from 1901 to 1908, being taught by noted artists Frederick McCubbin and Bernard Hall. An accomplished landscape and still-life painter, Gurdon exhibited her works with the Victorian Artists Society while still a student. She established her artistic prowess early on by winning the major category for oil painting in the 1909 City of Prahran's Art Exhibition Prize.
Norah Gurdon was a regular and successful exhibitor of work, exhibiting with the Victorian Artists Society, Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, and the Australian Art Association. In the 1920s she held many solo exhibitions at the Athenaeum Gallery, and later at the Women's Industrial Arts Society in Sydney, and the Royal Queensland Art Society in Brisbane.
Sydney Long was an Australian artist. He was influenced by the Heidelberg School but after 1895 Long moved from the Heidelberg School's approach to the Australian landscape (a fusion of Victorian genre painting and a Barbizon-like plein air informal realism). In practice this resulted in a new school of Australian Paganism, reflected in the literature of the period as much as in the art. Long's greatest triumph in this style was The Spirit of the Plains (1897).
Frederick McCubbin was a renowned Australian artist, a central figure in the Australian Impressionism movement, and a significant member of the Heidelberg School. Born in Melbourne in 1855, his early life was shaped by the colonial expansion of Australia, fostering a deep appreciation for the Australian landscape that would profoundly influence his art. McCubbin's art education was thorough, studying under notable artists at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School, where he later became a drawing master, educating future Australian artists.
Frederick McCubbin is celebrated for his unique depiction of the Australian bush, portraying the everyday life and struggles of settlers and bushmen with authenticity and sensitivity. His works like "Down on His Luck" and "The Pioneer" showcase this theme, highlighting the resilience and heroism of the Australian pioneers. These paintings are not just artworks; they are narratives that encapsulate the spirit of the nation, making Frederick McCubbin a pivotal figure in Australia's art history. His innovative approach to painting, characterized by an intimate connection with the landscape and a nuanced use of light and color, helped forge a distinct Australian art identity.
His paintings are housed in prestigious galleries across Australia, serving as testaments to his lasting impact on the nation's cultural heritage. Collectors and art enthusiasts revere McCubbin not only for his artistic prowess but also for his role in nurturing a unique Australian art narrative.
For those intrigued by Frederick McCubbin's legacy and wishing to stay informed about sales and auctions of his works, signing up for updates is a practical way to remain connected to the world of this eminent artist, ensuring you're alerted to new opportunities to engage with his enduring artistry.
