Creative Cauldron - Arthur Streeton

Artist inspiration and artist influences. No biographies, dates or scholarly research here - this is a personal response to the work of Arthur Streeton by Australian artist Fiona Morgan.

Above Us The Great Grave Sky

Arthur Streeton was another well known 'Australian Impressionist'. He was of the same era and ilk as Tom Roberts. At his best he is considered to be better, but Roberts was the more evenly masterful painter. This is a little like distinguishing between fine brie and camembert cheeses. They were both highly skilled masters of paint.

Near Heidleberg

 Like Roberts, he had the ability to capture a very Australia light and colour.

Still Glides The Stream And Shall Forever Glide

 I have a soft spot for landscapes...

Spring

...especially of the poetic, evocative kind. Streeton did this well, hence my admiration. His paintings bounce with feeling.

A Pastoral A Summer Afternoon

Seeing these paintings in real life shows off their masterful brushstrokes, teasing us to define if they are little swirls of paint or leaves and grass.

The Selectors Hut Whelan On The Log

Fire's On

Streeton dabbled in showing life, mostly pioneer bush life, of the time. Though he didn't go as far as making iconic pictures that formed Australia's self image like Roberts, he did make some memorable images of the times.

The Point Wharf Mosman Bay

He made a number of paintings around Sydney that to me really capture a sense of the city.

The Purple Noon

Streeton was introduced to plein air painting by Roberts. This was a brand new thing in Australia in the 1890's. I sense an excitement and pride in these outdoor paintings, perhaps from being involved in something so new and radical? These paintings have the effect of making me wish I had been there, travelling Australia and painting outside with the little group of master painters, making history.

Spirit Of The Drought

Another large part of my attraction to Streeton's work is the period of Symbolism that he explored. Using realistically painted landscapes and figures he could evoke an otherworldlyness that was more concerned with memory, mood or a season than ordinary reality. I really enjoy this imaginative aspect of his work, travelling in the mind. It also reminds me of Art Nouveau and the style of Alphonse Mucha.

More links to Arthur Streeton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Streeton

About the Creative Cauldron series of posts

The Creative Cauldron series of posts explores and showcases the visual styles, techniques, attitudes, ideas, artists and paintings that have had the most impact on me. 

The rest of the series is accessible via the Creative Cauldron page. Have a meander if you please, and remember to check out my artworks on Flickr, and have an insider peek at life as an artist on Facebook.