A break away! | |
---|---|
Artist | Tom Roberts |
Year | 1891 |
Medium | oil on canvas |
Dimensions | 137.3 cm × 167.8 cm (54.1 in × 66.1 in) |
Location | Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide |
A break away! is an 1891 painting by Australian artist Tom Roberts.
The painting depicts a mob of thirsty sheep stampeding towards a dam. A drover on horseback is attempting to turn the mob before they drown or crush each other in their desire to drink. [1] The painting, an "icon of Australian art", is part of a series of works by Roberts that "captures what was an emerging spirit of national identity." [1]
Roberts painted the work at Corowa. [2] The painting depicts a time of drought, with little grass and the soil kicked up as dust. [1] The work itself is a reflection on the pioneering days of the pastoral industry, which were coming to an end by the 1890s. [1] Arthur Streeton recalled years later: "To paint that masterpiece [A break away!], Roberts travelled for six weeks with the drovers." [3]
The painting formed part of the 1898 Exhibition of Australian Art in London, the first major exhibition of Australian art internationally.
A break away! is now part of the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia having been purchased in 1899. [4] It was included in Quintessence Editions Ltd.'s 2007 book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die. [5]
A break away! | |
---|---|
Artist | Tom Roberts |
Year | 1891 |
Medium | oil on canvas |
Dimensions | 137.3 cm × 167.8 cm (54.1 in × 66.1 in) |
Location | Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide |
A break away! is an 1891 painting by Australian artist Tom Roberts.
The painting depicts a mob of thirsty sheep stampeding towards a dam. A drover on horseback is attempting to turn the mob before they drown or crush each other in their desire to drink. [1] The painting, an "icon of Australian art", is part of a series of works by Roberts that "captures what was an emerging spirit of national identity." [1]
Roberts painted the work at Corowa. [2] The painting depicts a time of drought, with little grass and the soil kicked up as dust. [1] The work itself is a reflection on the pioneering days of the pastoral industry, which were coming to an end by the 1890s. [1] Arthur Streeton recalled years later: "To paint that masterpiece [A break away!], Roberts travelled for six weeks with the drovers." [3]
The painting formed part of the 1898 Exhibition of Australian Art in London, the first major exhibition of Australian art internationally.
A break away! is now part of the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia having been purchased in 1899. [4] It was included in Quintessence Editions Ltd.'s 2007 book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die. [5]