Tom Roberts was a famous Australian Impressionism painter associated with the Heidelberg School art movement. He is best known for his depictions of Australian pastoral life and showing the harsh Australian landscape as it was rather than a weird version of the European landscape as previous artists had done. Famous Tom Roberts artworks include “Holiday sketch at Coogee”, “Shearing the Rams”, “Coming South”, “Slumbering Sea, Mentone”, “An Autumn Morning, Milson’s Point, Sydney”, “A Break Away!”, “The Golden Fleece”, “Bailed Up”, “Portrait of Florence”, “Mosman’s Bay”, “Bourke Street West” and “The Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York (later H.M. King George V), May 9, 1901 (The Big Picture)”.
Mini biography: Born Thomas William Roberts on the 8th of March, 1856 in Dorchester, Dorset, England. His mother was Matilda Agnes Cela and his father Richard Roberts was a journalist. The family migrated to Australia in 1869 after the death of Robert’s father. Roberts married Elizabeth Sarah (Lillie) Williamson in 1896 and they had one child: Caleb Roberts. Elizabeth died in 1928. He married his second wife Jean Boyes in 1928. The artist died on the 14th of September, 1931 in Kallista, Victoria, Australia at the age of 75. Tom Roberts is buried at the Illawarra Cemetery, Tasmania, Australia.
List of Famous Tom Roberts Art Quotes
It seems to me that one of the best ideas spoken to an artist is, ‘paint what you love and love what you paint’ and on that I have worked; so it came that being in the bush and feeling the delight and fascination of the great pastoral life and work, I have tried to express it. Tom Roberts
We went to the bush and, as was always our ambition, tried to get it down as truly as we could. Tom Roberts
When the great day came your mother and I went to the hall of the Exhibition Building, and without getting seats, walked quietly at the very back, and climbing up some rails, I was able to see that immense gathering of people from Australia, and from so many parts of the world. It was very solemn and great. The heads on the floor looked like a landscape. (writing to his son Caleb about The Big Picture painting) Tom Roberts
Art Quotes About Tom Roberts
He was a great talker, full of fun and whims and wisdom, but he was no egotist. He would not permit the silent listener. Every moment brought the call for active comradeship, participation in the passing of life and the enjoyment of beauty. He could not have lived without this active interchange of affection and friendship. Sir Frederic Eggleston
Tom Roberts Self-Portrait Painting
More on Famous Australian Painter Tom Roberts
How has Tom Roberts influenced your art making? Is he one of your favorite famous Australian impressionist painters? Let us know what you think about Tom Roberts in the comments below.
Related or similar popular artists and celebrities include: Arthur Streeton, Frederick McCubbin, Claude Monet, Lloyd Rees, Fred Williams and other Famous Australian Artists.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.