Blue Pacific (Streeton)

Blue Pacific is an 1890 oil on canvas landscape painting by Australian artist Arthur Streeton. The painting depicts a headland on the northern end of the eastern Sydney suburb of Coogee.[1]

Blue Pacific
ArtistArthur Streeton
Year1890
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions91.4 cm × 50.8 cm (36.0 in × 20.0 in)
LocationNational Gallery, London

Blue Pacific was one of Streeton's first paintings after he moved to Sydney.[1]

Coogee is a very jolly place ... On warm days the place (which is like a nest) is filled with smiles and sweet humanity. I'll come here to die I think.

— Arthur Streeton, [1]

The painting was purchased by Central Coast businessman Jeff d'Albora for AUD1.08M in 2005. Since 2015, it has been on loan to the National Gallery in London.[2] The painting is only the second painting from outside western Europe to be displayed in the National Gallery following a change in the Gallery's collection and display policy.[1]

Gallery director Gabriele Finaldi said the painting demonstrates the influence of French impressionism on Australian art: "Here was a way of capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere in nature when depicting landscapes that had never been depicted before."[3]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Schawarzkoff, Louise (18 September 2015). "Arthur Streeton's Blue Pacific at the National Gallery in London: mystery owner revealed as Jeff d'Albora". Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Ltd. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  2. ^ Fish, Peter (23 September 2015). "New book on Arthur Streeton to complement London show". Australian Financial Review. Fairfax Ltd. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Arthur Streeton to be first Australian artist to feature in London's National Gallery". The Guardian Australia. Australian Associated Press. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2019.