The Artists

Eugene von Guerard

EUGENE von GUERARD
FERNTREE GULLY IN THE DANDENONG RANGES, 1857

EUGENE von GUERARD
Born Vienna 1811, Died London 1901

FERNTREE GULLY IN THE DANDENONG RANGES, 1857
oil on canvas, 92.0 x 138.0 cm
Gift of Dr Joseph Brown AO OBE
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

This work was originally bought by F. G. Dalgety, founder of Dalgety & Co., who also bought Eugene von Guerard's New Zealand works, 'Milford Sound with Pembroke Peak and Bower Falls on the west coast of Middle Island, New Zealand', 1877-79, and "Lake Wakatipu with Mount Earnslow, Middle Island, New Zealand', 1877-79.

Eugene von Guerard is said to have painted this work 'at the entrance to Dobson's Gully in the Dandenongs'. Dobson's Gully was the popular name for this area, where in 1854, Thomas Dobson Snr. made his home and established a timber camp. Dobson called the area 'Lightwood Gully', the original name for the township of Ferntree Gully. The creek in this area, was referred to by Eugene von Guerard as 'Mittel Creek'.

Eugene von Guerard's interest in painting this work in this area, was probably aroused by the success of an artist by the name of Herald, who painted a view of Ferntree Gully which was purchased by the Government to be presented to the Royal collection. People travelled to the area, to see where Herald painted his work, and the area, because of the painting, became known, and was eventually called, Ferntree Gully.

Eugene von Guerard hoped for the same success as Herald, but the Government was not interested in acquiring another work depicting the same subject matter as that produced by Herald.

Further information:
Eugene von Guerard Milford Sound with Pembroke Peak and Bower Falls on the west coast of Middle Island, New Zealand', 1877-79

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Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Us The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.