Past exhibitions

The most significant retrospective of Australian impressionist artist Arthur Streeton ever held

Arthur Streeton’s brilliant evocations of light, land and sea are amongst the most enduring and popular paintings for many Australians. His sun-drenched impressionist landscapes from the 1880s, joyful depictions of Sydney Harbour in the 1890s, and pastoral paintings from the 1920s and 30s continue to define an image of our unique environment.

Streeton presents a fresh look at these much-loved works, enriched by a selection from the artist’s international career in Egypt, England, Italy and WWI France. Streeton’s environmental activism on his return to Australia in the 1920s led to paintings which are prescient of our current highly charged debates on the destruction of the natural world.

The exhibition features over 150 works from public and private collections, including some not exhibited for over 100 years, and is accompanied by a magnificent book including new writing by leading experts.

For families, there are also children’s labels, a children’s trail and an activity sheet with ideas for creating art at home.

This exhibition is made possible with the support of the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.