Early Depictions of Australian Wildlife

[GregH]

Did anyone get to the exhibition of John Lewin's work at the NSW Art Gallery in Sydney? I just noticed that it had been on from March to May this year and was disappointed I didn't get a chance to see it. I am fascinated by how early colonial artists got our wildlife and landscapes so wrong but Lewin was not one of these - he painted in a very modern and scientifically accurate style. Of course when he worked with dead specimens he could get it wrong as is shown with the crested pigeon. If you you missed it there is still a preview on the 7:30 Report site. Here is a look of some of his aviary birds and their names back then are as fascinating as their images:

Spotted Grossbeak Common Grossbeak King Honeyeater Varigated Warbler Scarlet & Black Warbler Black Crowned Thrush
http://vimeo.com/37559287

[Tintola]

Thanks Greg, fascinating. Now we know how "Lewins" Honeyeater got its name.

[Myzomela]

Hi Greg,
I made the effort and saw the exhibition but to be honest was a bit disappointed.

Many of the images were typically stylised and not accurate IMO, although the ones you showed appeared actually quite good.

Some of the images were labelled incorrectly ie wrong species.

There was also a wooden case painted in a scenery depicting the Blue Montains... with a Ground Parrot on it!

Art is so subjective but I like art that depicts the colours,patterns, proportions and behaviour of birds accurately. That's why I love Cooper's work (mostly) but do not particularly like Gould's ( I know- heresy!!)

[GregH]

I certainly admire the photorealism of some artists but more for their technical prowess and patience. In my opinion if you are going to paint every barbule of every feather then you may as well take a photo and then you'll be sure that it's accurate but I still admire the effort required to achieve this look. Photography has been a major influence on modern painter's ability to achieve this photo-reality in paintings especially with achieving realistic poses and freezing motion. I suspect that had John Lewin had access to photography his works might have matched [img=http://www.katherinecooperart.com.au/paintings.html]Catherine Cooper's[/img] work. His work has to be viewed in the context of it's time as does Coopers. When you compare Lewin's to the works of artists from the First Fleet there is an amazing evolution in the accuracy and placement of the subject on the canvas and in setting the subject in realistic environment reflecting the ecosystem the animal might be found in. Of course Lewin had the luxury of time which the first fleet artists only 20 years beforehand didn't have.

[finchbreeder]

Greg I understand your dissapointment with not being able to get to the exhibition. But try living 500kms from the capital city, over here in WA. We have a gallery that is good enough to host the "Doug Moran" exhibit. But internationals, don't want to know us. Thanks for putting this onsite, it allowed me to "see" part of the exhibition.
LML

[E Orix]

After having watched one of Aust. better avian photograghers here recently I now know it takes an exceptional photogragher with $$$$$$$$K worth of equipment to even get close to say some of Coopers work.Apparently the top guys try for feather deliniation of the head area and light reflection of the eye.
To my eyes even his below par shots amaze me.
I also have the large size volumes of Australian Parrots and Coopers detail is staggering.He was also able to paint in the local Flora as well.

[GregH]

Just an update on the Wild Art exhibition. According to the ABC, Lewin's art will be on display at the National Library in Canberra until the end of October.

[Jayburd]