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Collection

An image of Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay by Charles Conder

Charles Conder

(England, Australia 24 Oct 1868–09 Feb 1909)

Title
Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay
Other titles:
Departure of S.S. "Orient" from Circular Quay, Sydney
Departure of the 'Orient'
The Departure of Orient Steamer
Departure of S.S. Orient
Departure of SS. Orient
Departure of S.S. "Orient" from Circular Quay, Sydney
Departure of the S.S. Orient
Departure of the s.s. Orient - Circular Quay
Departure of the 'Orient' - Circular Quay
Place of origin
Sydney → New South Wales → Australia
Year
1888
Media category
Painting
Materials used
oil on canvas
Dimensions

45.1 x 50.1cm stretcher; 67.0 x 72.0 x 7.8cm frame

Signature & date
Signed and dated l.l. corner, incised "CHAS CONDER/ SYDNEY/ 1888". Signed and dated l.l. corner, red oil "CHAS CONDER/ SYDNEY/ 1888".
Credit
Purchased 1888
Accession number
829
Location
19th c Australian art
Further information

Arriving in Australia as an adolescent in 1884, Charles Conder became one of the key founders of the Heidelberg school of Australian impressionism. He returned to Europe six years later to become a legendary figure of the fin de siècle, mixing with leading artists and writers including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Oscar Wilde.

Exhibited in Sydney in 1888, 'Departure of the Orient – Circular Quay' was Conder’s impressive artistic debut. With its silvery-grey tonality, contrasted with touches of brilliant colour, the work reflects the influence of Whistler and the principles of Aesthetic painting. Conder’s interest in Japanese art – or Whistler-inspired Japonisme – with its large, empty spaces, is also paramount.

Bibliography (76)

Leigh Astbury, Meridian Oct 1985, 'Poetic impulses in Australian landscape painting: the Heidelberg school reconsidered', pg. 123 - 141., Bundoora, Oct 1985, 129.

Leigh Astbury, Sunlight and shadow: Australian impressionist painters 1880-1900, Rushcutters Bay, 1989, 24 (colour illus., detail), 37 (colour illus.), 223. plate no. 22; titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Herbert Badham, A study of Australian art, Sydney, 1949, 2 (colour illus.), 53.

Herbert Badham, A gallery of Australian art, 'Introduction', pg. v-vii., Sydney, 1954, xi, xv, (colour illus.). plate no. 14

Christine Bates, Making art connections: Visual arts years 7 & 8 2010, 'Lets make an artwork: Peeking into private worlds', pg. 38-39, North Ryde, 2010, 38 (colour illus.).

Okko Boer, Masters of the Heidelberg School, 'Charles Conder: the 'emigre' participant', pg. 45-57, Leichhardt, 1998, 48 (illus.), 49. plate no. 45; titled 'Departure of the S.S. Orient - Circular Quay'

Maurice Brodzky (Editor), Table talk 05 Oct 1888, Melbourne, 05 Oct 1888, 4.

Edmund Capon, Art Gallery of New South Wales: highlights from the collection, Sydney, 2008, 58 (colour illus.), 59.

Bonny Cassidy., Tertangala Aug 2003, 'Charles Conder: a retrospective 1868-1909', Wollongong, Aug 2003, (illus.). Exhibition review.

Jane Clark and Bridget Whitelaw, Golden summers: Heidelberg and beyond 1985, Melbourne, 1985, 94 (colour illus.). titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Betty Currie, Girolamo Pieri Nerli (1863-1926) 1976, Melbourne, 1976, 19, 24, 26, 27, 29, 33, (illus.).

Michael Dunn, Nerli: an Italian painter in the South Pacific, 'Nerli's paintings', pg. 18-54, Auckland, 2005, 25, 26 (illus.), 27. figure no. 12

Mary Eagle, Australian Impressionism 2007, 'Friendly rivalry: paintings of waterside Sydney, 1888 and 1890', pg. 103-108, Melbourne, 2007, 321, 104, 106-108, 79, 113 (colour illus.), 107 (colour illus. detail). cat.no. 6.3

Peter Entwisle, Nerli - An exhibition of paintings & drawings 1988, 'G.P. Nerli: Influences in Australia', pg. 28-38, Dunedin, 1988, 21 (illus.), 28, 32, 34, 36.

Brian Finemore, Painting, 'Introduction', pg. 4-5, London, 1961, 4, 13 (illus.). This work is titled "Departure of the S.S. Orient".

Ann Galbally, Charles Conder: the last bohemian, 'A child of Empire', pg. 5-28, Melbourne, 2002, xi, 26-28, following 46 (colour illus.), 191. titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Ann Galbally, Craft arts international 2003, 'Charles Conder 1868-1909', pg. 81-83, Sydney, 2003, 83 (colour illus.).

George Galway, Fifty years of Australian art 1879-1929, New South Wales, 1929, 59 (illus.). titled 'The Departure of Orient Steamer'

Frank Gibson and Campbell Dodgson, Charles Conder: his life and work, London, 1914, 29, 108. titled 'Departure of SS. "Orient"'

James Gleeson, Masterpieces of Australian painting, Melbourne, 1969, 66, 67 (colour illus.). plate no. 18

Grafton Galleries, Exhibition of Australian art in London 1898, London, 1898, 49. cat.no. 311; titled 'Departure of the "Orient"'; lent by the Trustees of Sydney Gallery; NOTE: Artist is 'Chas. Conder'.

Sasha Grishin., The Canberra times 22 Jun 2003, 'Spirit of brilliance', Ainslie, 22 Jun 2003. Exhibition review.

Kerry Heckenberg, Queensland Review (vol.15, no.1) 2008, 'JJ. Hilder and the Languages of Art', pg. 33-49, Queensland, 2008, 35.

Dr Ursula Hoff, Charles Conder - his Australian years, Melbourne, 1960, 7, 12-13, 17-18, 20, 25, 31 (colour illus.). plate no. 6; cat.no. 10; titled 'Departure of the Steamship Orient' on pg. 25; titled 'Departure of the S.S. Orient' on pg. 31.

Dr Ursula Hoff, Charles Conder: 1868-1909 1966, Sydney, 1966. cat.no. 8; titled 'Departure of the steamship Orient'; not paginated; NOTE: in the introduction title is refered to as 'Departure of the S.S. Orient'

Dr Ursula Hoff, Charles Conder, Melbourne, 1972, 21-24, 100, plate no. 8 (colour illus.). plate no. 8; cat.no. C20; titled 'Departure of the S.S. Orient, Circular Quay'

Martin Hopkinson, The British art journal [vol. V, no. 2] 2004, 'Charles Conder 1868-1909 by Ann Galbally and Barry Pearce', pg. 98-99, London, 2004, 98. NOTE: Book review.

Robert Hughes, The art of Australia, 'The Heidelberg School 1885-96', pg. 53-73, Ringwood, 1970, 12, 70 (illus.), 72. plate no. 23; titled 'The Departure of S.S. Orient'

Victoria Hynes, The Sydney Morning Herald 13 Jun 2003, 'Exhibitions', pg. 27, Sydney, 13 Jun 2003, 27 (colour illus.). Exhibition review in Metro Supplement

Bruce James, Art Gallery of New South Wales handbook, 'Australian Collection: Painting and Sculpture', pg. 102-181, Domain, 1999, 111 (colour illus.). titled 'Departure of the Orient, Circular Quay'

Patrick Jourdan, John-Peter Russell, un impressionniste australien : dans les collections françaises, autour du dépôt au Musée de Morlaix du legs Jouve, Musée du Louvre - fonds Orsay 1997, Morlaix, 1997, 15.

Robyn Krause-Hale and Ruth Pullin, Conder & friends 2003, 'The painting of modern life', Melbourne, 2003, (colour illus.), (colour illus., detail).

Brian Ladd, The Artist & the City 1983, 'Introduction', pg. 4-5, Domain, 1983, 4. titled 'Departure of S.S. Orient'

Jean-Claude Lesage, Peintres Australiens à Etaples, 'Les Picardistes', pg. 14-26, Etaples-sur-Mer, 2000, 15, 16 (colour illus.).

Lionel Lindsay, 150 years of Australian art 1938, Sydney, 1938, (illus.). cat.no. 156; not paginated

Patricia Macdonald, Exiles and emigrants: epic journies to Australia in the Victorian era 2005, Melbourne, 2005, 99 (colour illus.), 137.

Patrick McCaughey, Encounters with Australian modern art, 'Affinity and antinomy in Australian painting 1960-1985', pg. 79-178, South Yarra, 2008, 89.

Ewen McDonald (Editor), The Art Gallery of New South Wales collections, 'From Colonialism to late Modernism', pg. 7-106, Sydney, 1994, 14 (colour illus.). titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

John McDonald, Art of Australia. Vol. 1: Exploration to Federation, 'Our hill of gold', pg. 419-484, Sydney, 2008, 443, 444 (colour illus.), 576.

Denise Mimmocchi, Australian Symbolism: the art of dreams 2012, ‘Dreams of the bohemian idyll: Charles Conder and his impact’, pg. 90-110, Sydney, 2012, 90-91.

Hal Missingham, A retrospective exhibition of Australian painting 1953, Section 3, Domain, 1953, not paginated. cat.no. 43; titled 'Departure of the S.S. Orient'

William Moore, The story of Australian art from the earliest known art of the continent to the art of today (Vol. 1), Sydney, 1934, opposite 91 (illus.).

National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Catalogue of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1893 1893, Sydney, 1893, 107. cat.no. 370; titled 'Departure of the 'Orient''

Olympic Civic Committee of Melbourne City Council, The arts festival of the Olympic Games, Melbourne: a guide to the exhibitions with introductory commentaries on the arts in Australia 1956, Melbourne, 1956, 82. cat.no. 16; titled 'Departure of the S.S. "Orient"'

Barry Pearce, Art Gallery of New South Wales Handbook, 'Australian', pg. 13-35, Domain, 1988, 17 (illus.). titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Barry Pearce, The Weekend Australian 07 Jun 2003-08 Jun 2003, 'Forgotten impressionist', pg. 16-17, Surry Hills, 07 Jun 2003-08 Jun 2003, 17 (colour illus.).

Barry Pearce., Australian artist Jun 2003, 'Charles Conder: lost and found voice of the Heidelberg School', Chatswood, Jun 2003, (colour illus.).

Barry Pearce, Look: 1953-2003 celebrating 50 years May 2003, 'The enigmatic Charles Conder: spotlight on a lesser known Heidelberg painter', pg. 8-11, Newtown, May 2003, 10 (colour illus.). titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Barry Pearce, Charles Conder 1868-1909 2003, 'Between worlds: Conder in Australia', pg. 12-31, Domain, 2003, 21, 47, 62, 63 (colour illus., detail), 84, 85 (colour illus.), 181, 192, 198, 199. cat.no. 16; titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Barry Pearce, Australian art: in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 'Introduction', pg. 10-16, Domain, 2000, 12, 38, 53 (colour illus.), 300. titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Barry Pearce and Haruo Arikawa, Two hundred years of Australian painting: nature, people and art in the southern continent 1992, Tokyo, 1992, 94 (colour illus.). cat.no. 49; titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'; NOTE: See also unpublished translation of catalogue for entry.

Albie Thoms, Bohemians in the bush: the artists' camps of Mosman 1991, Sydney, 1991, 45, 76. cat.no. 13; titled 'Departure of the S.S. Orient, Circular Quay'

Public Programmes Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 'K' is for Conder: Charles Conder retrospective 2003, Domain, 2003, (illus.). not paginated

Sir John Rothenstein, The life and death of Conder, London, 1938, 9, 30, 37, 285. titled 'Departure of S.S. "Orient" from Circular Quay, Sydney'

Lynne Seear, American Impressionism & Realism: A landmark exhibition from The Met 2009, 'Continental drift: Stories from Australia about an American exhibition', pg. 51-61, Sydney, 2009, 60 (colour illus.), 92 (colour illus., detail), 93, 96, 97 (colour illus.), 316, 330. cat.no. 2A; Exhibited in the 'Cities Australia' section

Bernard Smith, 100 years of Australian painting 1948, 'Foreword', pg. 2-4, Sydney, 1948, 5. cat.no. 6; titled 'The Departure of S.S. Orient'

Bernard William Smith, A catalogue of Australian oil paintings in the National Art Gallery of New South Wales 1875-1952, Sydney, 1953, 50. cat.no. 127; titled 'Departure of the S.S. Orient'

Bernard William Smith, Place, taste and tradition: a study of Australian art since 1788, 'Impressionism in Australia', pg. 112-145, South Melbourne, 1979, 122 (illus.). plate no. 40; titled 'Departure of S.S. Orient'

William Splatt and Barbara Burton, 100 masterpieces of Australian painting, Adelaide, 1973, 46, 47 (colour illus.). plate no. 20; titled 'Departure of the 'Orient' - Circular Quay'

Jill Stowell., The Newcastle herald 02 Aug 2003, 'Flamboyant architect out of the shadows: Imbalance redressed on distinguished career', Newcastle, 02 Aug 2003.

Arthur Streeton, Argus 16 Oct 1934, 'Eaglemont in the 'Eighties: beginnings of art in Australia', pg. 49, Melbourne, 16 Oct 1934, 49.

Martin Terry, Maritime paintings of early Australia 1788-1900, 'The 1890s', pg. 90-104, Carlton South, 1998, 92 (colour illus., detail), 93 (colour illus.), 96. plate no. 58; titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'

Martin Terry, Art Monthly Australia Nov 2003, 'Moulin Rouge: Charles Conder at the Art Gallery of New South Wales', pg. 31-34, Acton, Nov 2003, 31-32.

Daniel Thomas, Art Gallery of New South Wales Quarterly Jan 1960, 'The Art Gallery of New South Wales', pg. 10-15, Sydney, Jan 1960, 14.

Daniel Thomas., Sydney Harbour 1963, ‘Introduction', Sydney, 1963. cat.no. 21; titled 'Departure of the S.S. Orient, Circular Quay'; not paginated

Laurie Thomas (Editor), Jubilee exhibition of Australian art 1951, Sydney, 1951, 35. cat.no. 73

Sydney Ure Smith (Editor), Art of Australia 1788-1941 1941, New York, 1941, 35. cat.no. 46; titled 'Departure of S.S. Orient'.

Elizabeth Young, Australian painting: colonial, impressionist, contemporary 1962, 'Impressionist', pg.11-17, Adelaide, 1962, 16, 39, 55 (colour illus.). cat.no. 33.

Editor Unknown (Editor), Sotheby's Melbourne: Important Australian Art, 25 & 26 August 2008, Australia, 2008, 41. NOTE: Artwork reference in relation to painting "The Fatal Colours" which was for sale.

Editor Unknown, Illustrated Sydney news 17 Sep 1888, 'Leading pictures at the Art Society's exhibition', pg. 7, Sydney, 17 Sep 1888, 7 (illus.). Hand-drawn illustration of 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'.

The Tatler: art, literature, music and the drama illustrated 05 Jun 1898, Melbourne, 05 Jun 1898, 24.

World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893: Catalogue of the exhibits in the New South Wales Courts 1893, 'Department K - fine arts, painting, sculpture, architecture and decoration', Sydney, 1893, 435. cat.no. 8; titled 'Departure of the Orient'

Author Unknown, The Adelaide Festival of Arts 1962: Special exhibitions at the National Gallery of South Australia 1962, 'Australian Painting: Colonial, Impressionoist, Contemporary', Adelaide, 1962, not paginated. cat.no. 38; titled 'Departure of s.s. "Orient"'

Editor Unknown (Editor), Art Gallery of New South Wales picturebook, Domain, 1972, 80 (colour illus.). titled 'Departure of the s.s. Orient - Circular Quay'

Editor Unknown (Editor), The Sydney Morning Herald 18 Sep 1888, 'The pictures', pg. 5, Sydney, 18 Sep 1888, 5. NOTE: Review of Art Society of New South Wales Ninth Annual Exhibition.

Author Unknown, Art Society of New South Wales Ninth Annual Exhibition Catalogue Sep 1888, Sydney, Sep 1888, 34. cat.no. 140; titled 'Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay'; priced £21; NOTE: Artist is 'Chas. Conder'.

Exhibition history (20)

Ninth Annual Exhibition of the Art Society of New South Wales (1888), Society Rooms, Union Chambers, Sydney, 1888 -

World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Jackson Park, Chicago, 01 May 1893–30 Oct 1893

Exhibition of Australian art in London (1898), Grafton Galleries, London, 02 Apr 1898–31 Jul 1898

Fifty years of Australian art, 1879-1929 by members of Royal Art Society, with a commentary by George Galway, Blaxland Gallery, Sydney, 25 Nov 1929–07 Dec 1929

150 years of Australian art (1938), National Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 27 Jan 1938–25 Apr 1938

Art of Australia 1788-1941:

100 years of Australian painting (1948), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 19 Apr 1948–17 May 1948

Jubilee exhibition of Australian art:

A retrospective exhibition of Australian painting, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 25 Sep 1953–25 Oct 1953

The Arts Festival of the Olympic Games (1956), National Gallery of Victoria [Swanston Street], Melbourne, 18 Nov 1956–15 Dec 1956

Australian Painting: Colonial, Impressionist, Contemporary (1962-63):

Sydney Harbour: an exhibition to mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of Australia (1963), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 30 Oct 1963–19 Nov 1963

Charles Conder: 1868-1909 (1966):

Golden Summers - Heidelberg and beyond:

Bohemians in the bush: the artists' camps of Mosman, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 06 Jun 1991–25 Aug 1991

Two hundred years of Australian painting : Nature, people and art in the southern continent:

Charles Conder retrospective (2003-2004):

Exiles and emigrants: Epic journeys to Australia in the Victorian era:

Australian Impressionism, Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne, 31 Mar 2007–08 Jul 2007

American Impressionism and Realism: a landmark exhibition from the Met, Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane, 30 May 2009–20 Sep 2009