TOM ROBERTS - The Breakaway/Shearing the Rams

Two films examine the life and work of one of Australia's most popular artists, know for his iconic works celebrating the bush - "Shearing the Rams" and "The Breakaway".

Shearing the Rams (1990, 17 Minutes)

Considers the work of the eminent Australian painter Tom Roberts, in commemorating the 100th anniversary of his famous painting "Shearing the Rams" - an archetypal vision of Australian pastoral life.

A Film Australia National Interest Program. © 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

The Breakaway (1984, 10 Minutes)

Examines one of Australia's most famous and exciting paintings and also reveals little-known sketches, in an appraisal of artist Tom Roberts' life and work.

Known as the father of Australian landscape painting, Roberts was influenced by the French Impressionist movement, as he travelled through Europe in his late 20s. On his return to Australia he led 'en plein air' painting expeditions into the Australian bush with other artists, including Charles Conder and Arthur Streeton. They were key figures in the blossoming Australian Impressionist movement of the late 19th century, which grew into the famous Heidelberg School. Their body of work led to the first Impressionist exhibition held in Melbourne in 1889, in which Roberts' work featured strongly. It was called the 9 x 5 Impression exhibition, because many of the works were painted on common cigar box lids, 9" x 5" in diameter. It was this exhibition that brought Roberts, Conder, Streeton and their friends into the public eye and breathed new life into Australian art.

Produced by Film Australia in collaboration with the Friends of the Art Gallery of South Australia. © 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.