Sydney
LONG
Australia
1871
–
London
1955
England, Europe 1910-21; Australia 1921- 22; England 1922-25; Australia 1925-52; England from 1952
31.5 (h) x 29.4 (w) cm
signed and dated ‘SID LONG/ 1908’ lower right Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, bequest of Dr and Mrs Sinclair Gillies 1952
A quintessential Australian landscape, and reminiscent of much-loved Australian impressionist paintings, Harbour view 1908 is a celebration of the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour. Intimate rather than grand, this image combines Long’s characteristic decorative style, developed as early as 1896, with the appealing qualities of watercolour, an admirable medium for spontaneous expression. The wilful wandering line of the path, which is extended by the wooden fence, and the delicately twisted, brown toned gum trees, which structure the composition, are typical of his style. These gentle rhythms of nature are combined with soft patches of green and blue, giving this landscape an overall impression of tranquillity and intimacy. Thanks to the transparency of wash, Long’s watercolours, as in Arthur Streeton’s paintings earlier, convincingly create timeless images of a harmonious and eternal Sydney Harbour.
Long exhibited a watercolour titled ‘The Harbour from Cremorne’ in the 1908 ‘Society of Artists exhibition’ (137), which is possibly this work.
Anne Gerard-Austin
A quintessential Australian landscape, and reminiscent of much-loved Australian impressionist paintings, Harbour view 1908 is a celebration of the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour. Intimate rather than grand, this image combines Long’s characteristic decorative style, developed as early as 1896, with the appealing qualities of watercolour, an admirable medium for spontaneous expression. The wilful wandering line of the path, which is extended by the wooden fence, and the delicately twisted, brown toned gum trees, which structure the composition, are typical of his style. These gentle rhythms of nature are combined with soft patches of green and blue, giving this landscape an overall impression of tranquillity and intimacy. Thanks to the transparency of wash, Long’s watercolours, as in Arthur Streeton’s paintings earlier, convincingly create timeless images of a harmonious and eternal Sydney Harbour.
Long exhibited a watercolour titled ‘The Harbour from Cremorne’ in the 1908 ‘Society of Artists exhibition’ (137), which is possibly this work.
Anne Gerard-Austin
A quintessential Australian landscape, and reminiscent of much-loved Australian impressionist paintings, Harbour view 1908 is a celebration of the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour. Intimate rather than grand, this image combines Long’s characteristic decorative style, developed as early as 1896, with the appealing qualities of watercolour, an admirable medium for spontaneous expression. The wilful wandering line of the path, which is extended by the wooden fence, and the delicately twisted, brown toned gum trees, which structure the composition, are typical of his style. These gentle rhythms of nature are combined with soft patches of green and blue, giving this landscape an overall impression of tranquillity and intimacy. Thanks to the transparency of wash, Long’s watercolours, as in Arthur Streeton’s paintings earlier, convincingly create timeless images of a harmonious and eternal Sydney Harbour.
Long exhibited a watercolour titled ‘The Harbour from Cremorne’ in the 1908 ‘Society of Artists exhibition’ (137), which is possibly this work.
Anne Gerard-Austin
