Collection
HJ Johnstone
(England, Australia 1835–1907)
- Title
- A billabong of the Goulburn, Victoria
- Year
- 1884
- Media category
- Painting
- Materials used
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
-
127.0 x 183.0cm
- Signature & date
- Signed and dated l.r., oil "H. J. Johnstone 1884".
- Credit
- Purchased 1885
- Accession number
- 5771
- Location
- 19th c Australian art
- Further information
The discovery of gold drew HJ Johnstone to Melbourne in 1853, but after prospecting unsuccessfully he established Melbourne’s leading photographic studio in 1864. Having studied art as a young man in England, in 1867 Johnstone joined Louis Buvelot’s painting school, and in 1871 was one of the first members of the newly formed Victorian Academy of the Arts.
After his return to London in 1880, Johnstone produced a number of Australian landscapes from his black-and-white photographs, including 'A billabong of the Goulburn, Victoria'. This painting’s tranquil and timeless landscape evokes a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. The unearthly stillness of the scene reflects the camera’s ability to freeze time, and the artist’s precision and attention to detail.
- Bibliography (11)
-
Anne Gray, Sydney Long: the spirit of the land 2012, 'The mysterious Mr Long', pg. 15-41, Canberra, 2012, 16 (colour illus.).
National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Catalogue of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1899 1899, Sydney, 1899. cat.no. 271, Oil Paintings-Australian, titled 'A Billabong on the Goulburn River, Victoria'
National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Catalogue of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1884 1884, Sydney, 1884. cat.no. 99, Oil Paintings, titled 'A Billabong of the Goulburn - Victoria'
National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Catalogue of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1893 1893, Sydney, 1893. cat.no. 13, Oil Paintings
National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Catalogue of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1891 1891, Sydney, 1891, 7 (illus.). cat.no. 13, Oil Paintings
National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Catalogue of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1888 1888, Sydney, 1888, 19 (illus.). cat.no. 28, Oil Paintings
National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Catalogue of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1886 1886, Sydney, 1886. cat.no. 26, Oil Paintings
Diedrith Newkomer., Illustrated Sydney news 20 May 1887, 'Sydney Art Gallery', Sydney, 20 May 1887, page unknown.
Barry Pearce, Art Gallery of New South Wales Handbook, 'Australian', pg. 13-35, Domain, 1988, 16.
Bernard William Smith, A catalogue of Australian oil paintings in the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1875-1952, Sydney, 1953, 101.
Editor Unknown (Editor), Art Gallery of New South Wales picturebook, Domain, 1972, 74 (colour illus.).
