Australia's distinctive landscape and sunny climate gave Australian Impressionism an intensity and radiance remarkable even in the international setting as the genre swept through the world's art communities during the second half of the 19th century. This book focuses on the first 15 years of the movement and follows five artists step-by-step. The story told in the Spring 2007 exhibition and in this catalog focuses on Charles Conder, Fred McCubbin, Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, and Jane Sutherland. The material includes several thematic subjects, such as portraiture by Roberts and Streeton, and European symbolism. The art sometimes is anecdotal and contains a narrative. Australian plein air painters were interested in the way light evoked a particular emotion or mood and how to capture a fleeting moment within a short amount of time. These young artists saw themselves as leaders against the forces of conservatism and parochialism and stayed current with what was happening on the world stage. In response to a scathing review of their first exhibition, they wrote to the critic that they were 'working towards the development... of a great school of painting in Australia.' Among many lasting contributions of these painters, Jane Sutherland advanced the professional standing of women artists of her time.

This work presented by Esso and Mobil, celebrates the achievements of one of Australia's most creative and honoured artists. In focusing on specific aspects of Nolan's prolific work - images of Australia's inland landscape, Burke and Wills, religion and environmental concerns - produced between 1949 and 1953, it has been possible to present a highly detailed exhibition rarely accorded to an Australian artist.

This publication focuses on the Gallery's collection of 46 Streeton works ranging from Sandrige (painted on cigar-box wood in 1884) through to his late canvas In a London garden c1934. Tracing Streeton's career, the book tells how he painted his youthful works of the 1880s and 90s alongside artist friends Charles Condor and Tom Roberts--camping in a farmhouse overlooking the Yarra River at Heidelberg, near Melbourne, and then (with Roberts) on the shores of Sydney harbour. He painted in London from 1897, before returning to spend the last two decades of his life working in Melbourne, where his late work evoked a peaceful pastoral Australia.