ARTWORK Australian Landscape Oil - GUSTAV PIRSTITZ "Spring Time Bonegilla"

THE ARTIST:
Gustav Pirstitz a listed Australian artist, born in Czechoslovakia, migrated to Australia and was a resident of the Albury area.
He was the director and conservator of Albury City's Art Gallery and its collection from 1969 until 1980

We are not sure when Gustav painted this particular artwork but we believe it was during the period of the late 70's - early 1980's

PAINTING SUBJECT BACKGROUND:

Bonegilla is in regional Victoria and the significance of the painting will be well known to Australian migrants around the 1950's - Bonegilla was the location of the Australian government's Migrant Reception and Training Centre. For the new arrivals departing Europe after WWII, Bonegilla was their first home in Australia.

Gustav Pristitz

"Spring Time Bonegilla"

Signed by the artist lower right hand corner

Not dated

Australian landscape scene, oil on board

Painting size: 240mm x 190mm

Frame size:  330mm x 280mm
Simple gold gilded frame

CONDITION:

It is hard for us to show clearly the real appearance of this painting, photographs being so 2 dimensional. The artwork is vibrant, has depth and looks very realistic in real life. We believe the artist was conveying a scene of peace and tranquility, surely this would have been such a dramatic change from the turmoil in Europe at the time.

It is sure to stir up old memories in those who arrived here mid last century.

The artwork is bright, vibrant and clean HOWEVER some very fine/light oil paint cracks are visible (when viewed very close up) - just to the left of centre, in the foothills area of the painting.

These are probably due to changing environments, particularly humidity, the oil has dried and shrunk creating these very fine hairline cracks in one area of the artwork.

WE HAVE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THESE  AND WE WOULD STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST TRYING A "HOME REMEDY" - this could very well make things much worse!

The frame has a couple of very light/small marks but nothing serious