ARTWORK HISTORY:
Our family is very much into "the Arts" in all it's forms, from music to creative art to chinaware and even classic old (quality) technology!
Our focus has always been landscapes, both Australian and New Zealand scenes but at times we end up with something that fuses our love of landscapes with notable, historical artwork and this print of a Streeton artwork does it for us!
Although historically and visually significant for us, this artwork is one of many (far too many!) that must now seek a new home.
ARTHUR STREETON - Whelan On The Log (The Selector's Hut)
This is not a contemporary art print, we acquired this artwork print way back in the 1970's
No idea who created this print, the artwork has not be 'overstamped' by a graphic design or printing company (thank Goodness!)
Just the small white paper label attached to the rear of the frame, see the details below.
High quality, realistic print
If only it was the original! That is hanging in the Australian National Gallery, Canberra.
1890
Simple wooden frame with gold gilding
Behind glass
Artwork measurements: 395mm x 270mm
Frame measurements: 473mm x 340mm
Backing card looks to be art-card with a 'canvas like' texture.
The artwork has the same 'canvas like' texture, colouring is realistic to the original as is the way Streeton plays with the light. It is worth noting that around 2/3 of the artwork is sky, plenty of opportunities for him to practice his mastery of light. If just one thing is important with a Streeton painting, the light has to be shown as Streeton originally intended it to be viewed. I have seen other contemporary reproductions/prints of this painting where the light and colours have been completely destroyed intentionally or not - any semblance to the original has vanished.
Also realistic is the considerable paint 'cracking' (Craquelure) throughout the artwork, this lends authenticity and character to the artwork! I have looked extremely closely at the print technique used and yes you can see composition dots but they are EXTREMELY small, I think this is an offset lithographic print.
Rear panel is nailed and sealed with framers tape (but not gum archival grade).
Rear lower left corner has a small white label (printed)
PLATE 3
ARTHUR STREETON - THE SELECTOR'S HUT
1890
Oil On Canvas
73.9 x 48.5 cm
Collection: Australian National Gallery Canberra
Ready to hang, nylon cord - stapled.
ARTHUR STREETON:
Master Australian artist, schooled in the Heidelberg School techniques to capture Australian life, the bush, and the harsh sunlight (and shadows) that are typical of Australian scenery.
But this artwork is not just a landscape, this painting personifies the tough Australian life.
The setting was the Eaglemont hillside, on the Mount Eagle estate belonging to the politician Charles Davies. The guy resting on the cut log was Jack Whelan (caretaker-farmer of the estate), a person who shared the old Estate house with Arthur Streeton. This area of Victoria was an artist's 'playground' at the time, many artworks were created in this area.
CONDITION:
I am not a great photographer and as this artwork print is behind glass, I tried to minimise light reflections but was not 100% successful. For example above one of the birds in the sky are two 'vertical' white lines or marks - it's all an illusion! There are no such lines or marks on the print.
Artwork is clean
NO issues with artwork damage observed (and we have looked very closely to look at the fine detail and the brush techniques that Streeton used)
NO issues with artwork discolouration, fading etc
This is the sort of artwork that you can stare at for millennium and still find new aspects you didn't realise were there!
Shipping of this artwork is no problem and we take great care in very safely packing especially delicate items such as this painting.
