Arthur Streeton

A founding member of the Heidelberg School, Arthur Streeton possessed an extraordinary ability to capture the effects of sunlight in paint. First visiting Sydney in 1890, he was enthralled by the sparkling harbour, later writing that it was an artist’s city. His paintings became so synonymous with Sydney that by 1900, The Bulletin claimed he had discovered the harbour.

Living overseas between 1897 and 1920, Streeton married Canadian violinist Nora Clench in January 1908. They honeymooned in Venice that spring, where he worked outdoors, often surrounded by inquisitive crowds, painting in oil and watercolour and making sketches for studio works. The couple returned in autumn, and Streeton created over seventy Venetian scenes, capturing the magic and atmosphere of the romantic city with reflections on water and pastel skies.

Returning to Australia in 1923, Streeton settled in Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges, establishing gardens that inspired celebrated flower paintings and landscapes featuring his signature golden light and iconic gum trees.