Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs

Welcome to 'In the Artist's Footsteps'. This website is being developed as a site for art lovers and students throughout the world to gain an appreciation of the lives and works of Australian Artists and the social environments in which they lived and painted.

Brushstrokes of the Coast
In conjunction with the Victorian Coastal Council, a special project aimed at promoting the cultural, environmental and historical significance of Victoria's coast.

Sir William Dargie Brushstrokes of Influence In 1956 William Dargie won the Archibald Prize for his painting of Albert Namatjira

Albert Namatjira Image from 1958 Catalogue of Originals by ALBERT NAMATJIRA The Albert Namatjira Collection A most significant Australian

Our starting point has been chartered by the Icon painters of the Australian Heidelberg School - Tom Roberts, Sir Arthur Streeton, Charles Conder and Walter Withers, who as young men created so much of Australia's cultural fabric with the plein air impressionistic paintings of every aspect of Australian life and environment.

During this period there were a number of significant women painter's of the Heidelberg School including Elizabeth Parsons, Jane Price, Clara Southern, Jane Sutherland and May Vale.

Elizabeth Parsons Private Collection

Jane Price Private Collection

Clara Southern Photograph in The Bulletin, 29 May 1929 State Library of South Australia

Jane Sutherland, c. 1885 Ms. 12311, Sutherland Family Scrapbook, La Trobe collection State Library of Victoria

May Vale Private Collection

Tom Roberts

Tom Roberts, born 8 March 1856 at Dorchester, Dorset, England is the subject of special celebration of Australia's Centenary of Federation through the painting of the Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall and York, (later King George V) May 9 1901 (1903). The opening of Federal Parliament 1901 was held at the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. This painting was finished two years after the event. The painting is now exhibited at Parliament House Canberra.

TOM ROBERTS
Born England 1856, Arrived Australia 1869, Died 1931
OPENING OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA BY H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CORNWALL AND YORK,
(LATER H.M. KING GEORGE V) MAY 9 1901 (1903)
oil on canvas, 304.5 x 509.2 cm
Collection: On permanent loan to the Parliament of Australia from the British Royal Collection

In the Artist's Footsteps is curated by leading Australian Art Historian Andrew Mackenzie who has studied and written about Australian artists for the past thirty years. We are fortunate to have access to his incisive comment for accuracy and personal knowledge.

We invite you to enjoy a walk 'In the Artist's Footsteps' and share the information with friends and family.

medialaunch Pty. Ltd. are the creators of 'In the Artist's Footsteps'. Find out about the company and its services.

Acknowledgments:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
Australian High Commission, Australia House, London
Commonwealth Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs
Descendants of the Artists who have provided information
McPherson Media Pty. Ltd. web site design
Participating Art Galleries, State Libraries and Private Collectors

Copyright Notice:
The photographic images of the Artists and the reproduction of the Artists works are subject to Copyright. People who wish to reproduce any of these images need to contact the relevant authorities. The information provided within this website by Andrew Mackenzie remains his Intellectual Property. All other Rights Reserved medialaunch Pty. Ltd.

Foundation Sponsors:
In the Artist's Footsteps is made possible by the support of the following organisations:

KAZ Technology Services Pty Ltd

Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Us The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.