Australian Painting 1788-1960

Australian Painting 1788-1960 traces the development of painting in Australia from early colonial works through to mid-20th century modernism. The book presents both well-known and obscure artists who shaped Australia's visual arts landscape over nearly two centuries. Smith organizes the historical progression into distinct periods, examining the cultural and social contexts that influenced artistic movements. The text includes analyses of individual paintings alongside broader discussions of style, technique, and the relationship between Australian and European artistic traditions. Through detailed research and reproductions of key artworks, this volume documents Australia's emergence as a unique center of artistic production. Smith connects artistic developments to the nation's evolving identity and relationship with both its Indigenous heritage and British colonial past. The book stands as a foundational text in Australian art history, examining how painting reflected and shaped notions of national character and cultural independence. It raises questions about artistic influence, originality, and the interaction between imported European traditions and local Australian subjects and perspectives.

This appears to be an academic art history text with limited public reader reviews available online. The small number of reviews mention: What Readers Liked: - Thorough research and documentation of early Australian painting - Clear writing style that balances academic rigor with readability - Quality reproductions of key artworks - Detailed chronological organization and historical context What Readers Disliked: - Now dated in its coverage (stops at 1960) - Some Indigenous art perspectives missing - High cost of newer editions - Physical size makes it cumbersome Available Ratings: - WorldCat: No ratings - Goodreads: No ratings - Google Books: No ratings - Amazon AU: No ratings Limited review data exists since this book is primarily used in academic settings rather than for general readership. Most citations appear in scholarly works rather than consumer reviews. [Note: With such limited public reader review data available, this summary relies on a small sample and may not fully represent reader reception]

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Australian Art: A History by Sasha Grishin Presents a comprehensive examination of Australian art from ancient Aboriginal works to contemporary pieces with connections to global art movements.

The Art of Australia by Robert Hughes Traces the development of Australian painting from colonial period through mid-twentieth century with focus on landscape traditions and modernist innovations.

🎨 Bernard Smith wrote this groundbreaking text in 1962, making it the first comprehensive survey of Australian art history ever published 📚 The book challenged the prevailing view that Australian art was merely derivative of European traditions, arguing instead for its unique cultural significance 🖼️ Smith traced how Aboriginal art influenced Australian painters, discussing this cultural exchange decades before it became a mainstream topic in art history 🌏 The book's timeline begins with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, documenting how early colonial artists portrayed an unfamiliar landscape through European eyes ✍️ Bernard Smith's work was so influential that he became known as the "father of Australian art history," and this book remains a foundational text in Australian universities today