Tom Roberts was a prominent Australian artist and a key member of the Heidelberg School, which was instrumental in developing a distinctive Australian style of painting. Born on March 9, 1856, in Dorchester, Dorset, England, Roberts emigrated to Australia with his family in 1869 at the age of 13. He initially worked as a photographer's assistant while studying art at night at the National Gallery of Victoria's Art School in Melbourne.
Roberts returned to England in 1881 to further his art education at the Royal Academy Schools in London. During this period, he was exposed to the works of the impressionists and plein air painters, influences that he would later bring back to Australia. In 1884, he returned to Melbourne and began working on a series of paintings depicting rural Australian life, utilizing the impressionist techniques of painting outdoors to capture the light and atmosphere unique to the Australian landscape.
One of Roberts's most famous works is 'Shearing the Rams,' completed in 1890, which depicts shearers at work in a sheep-shearing shed, capturing the essence of Australian pastoral life. This painting, among others, contributed to the development of an authentic Australian art, which sought to break away from European traditions and reflect the realities of life in Australia.
Roberts was also active in promoting Australian art and was involved in organizing exhibitions, including the famous 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition in 1889, named for the size of the works (9 x 5 inches) which were painted on the lids of cigar boxes. This exhibition was crucial in promoting the impressionist movement in Australia.
He continued to paint and exhibit his work throughout his life. During World War I, he served as an official war artist, capturing the Australian troops on the Western Front. After the war, he spent much of his time painting landscapes and portraits.
Roberts's influence on Australian art was significant. He helped to foster a sense of national identity through his art and inspired future generations of Australian artists. Tom Roberts passed away on September 14, 1931, in Kallista, Victoria, leaving behind a legacy as one of Australia's most respected and influential artists.
