PATERSON, JOHN FORD (1851-1912)

“Picnic Point From Sandringham Beach, Melbourne” (1873)
Oil on canvas (relined)
20 x 25m
Signed lower left
*private collection, Sydney
 
Paterson began his studies at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh and exhibited his first works shortly after turning twenty. He was moved by the work of legendary British Landscape Painter, John Constable. In 1872, he moved to Melbourne but returned to Scotland in 1875 when he found that the local art instruction did not meet his needs for further development. He came under the influence of the Glasgow School & held numerous exhibitions, in Liverpool & Manchester as well as throughout Scotland. He also joined the prestigious Savage Club in London. In 1884, he returned to Australia & would remain there for the rest of his life. Paterson renewed his friendship with the Swiss-born landscape painter Louis Buvelot, one of the founders of the Heidelberg School, whose en plein air methods suited Paterson. He served as a mentor for future Impressionists, Charles Conder & Arthur Streeton. He helped create the Australian Art Association, which eventually joined with other organizations to become the Victorian Artists Society. In 1902, Paterson became its President. In the same year he was appointed a trustee of the public library, museums & the NGV. His works are represented in a major National Galleries!! This impressive, plein air oil painting was completed during his first visit to Australia, & is one of his first recorded Australian landscape paintings. A popular location for early Impressionists, Sandringham Beach is very close to where he painted one of his best known works, 'Half Moon Bay' fourteen years later.