Streeton resided in Mosman, 8 km northeast of the city. In between, the graceful headland of Cremorne enables to create pleasant and balanced compositions in the panoramic views.
On August 31 in Sydney, Sotheby's Australia sells a view of Sydney from Mosman, oil on canvas 61 x 122 cm painted by Streeton, lot 31 estimated A $ 1.5M.
This technique in large size is rare for this artist who liked to practice painting on wood. It was realized in 1907 for his main patron of that time, Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer. A similar artwork painted in the same year is kept at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.
This painting is a fine study of the shades of blue from sea and sky in dialogue with the ocher and green of the land. On the horizon the smoke of the factories discretely symbolizes the industry of the big city. The boats offer their reflections in the water of the bay.
Mosman is since 1916 the location of the Sydney Zoo from where visitors still admire this view that has not changed except that the skyscrapers and the bridge reinforce the modern character of the city.
SOLD for A $ 2.07M including premium
For #Auction on 31 August in Syd. #Streeton #seascape could set #record https://t.co/Ae0g9wIwVW
— Sotheby's Australia (@SothebysAUST) August 5, 2016