Image retrieved from http://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/12/30/1419899131995/7173133f-4165-4bf5-af30-f6adc9dea813-671×1020.jpeg?w=620&h=-&s=8b0780437787172276af37519a41e3bf on April 8, 2016.
The introduction to light in the late 1800s effectively contributes to the aesthetics of this painting. Arthur Streeton went outside of a studio and into the natural environment in order to capture the beauty and clarity of not just the sky, but the entire landscape as a whole.
After viewing the painting in person I really could understand and view what a huge impact natural light had on artworks. In comparison to other artists and their paintings this one explicitly explores the landscape as it is meant to be. What I mean by this is the texture and colours are as if we are standing right in front of the tunnel.
The detail and explanation behind this artwork adds to my understanding of Australian literature, Indigenous art and life and the landscape itself. On the right we can see a man-made object of a tunnel which is a metaphor and a literal meaning of the English taking advantage of the land and putting it to their own use. They have destroyed what the Earth and landscape was meant to be and literally dug a massive hole through it. On the other side we see a greater sense of life and greenery which depicts the way in which the mountain attains some of its originality and intended use. We can also see a Waratah which is our national flower and that red stands out in contrast to the browns and greys on the right.
In addition to Streeton, the paintings of John Glover and Russell Drysdale further capture the landscape in outstanding ways.
John Glover- “Patterdale Farm” 1840… image retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/John_Glover_-_Patterdale_farm_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/640px-John_Glover_-_Patterdale_farm_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg on April 8, 2016.
Russell Drysdale- “Walls of China” 1945… image retrieved from https://hinchinbrookart.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/imgres-4.jpeg on April 8, 2016.
The NSW Art Gallery visit was extremely helpful in putting our literature studies into perspective, as well as into a more recent view. The knowledge that I’ve gained so far was further enhanced by the tour and thus, my knowledge and understanding has greatly increased too.
Literature Exploration 
