Girolamo Nerli
(Italy, Australia, New Zealand 21 Feb 1860–24 Jun 1926)
Beach scene, Sandringham
- Location
- 19th c Australian art
- Further information
Italian-born and trained, Girolamo Nerli brought the influence of the Macchiaioli plein-air group to Australian painters, including Conder, Streeton and Roberts. Like the French Impressionists, the Macchiaioli were concerned with the portrayal of light – but they were more interested in conveying a metaphysical intensity rather than light’s momentary effects.
This scene depicts Sandringham beach on Port Phillip Bay near Melbourne, and shows Nerli’s preference for rapidly sketched atmospheric effects in muted tones, with small contrasting touches of brightness. The figures strolling along the shore are important compositional accents to an otherwise sparingly delineated coastal landscape.
- Year
- (circa 1889)
- Media
- Painting
- Medium
- oil on cardboard
- Dimensions
- 23.2 x 31.4cm board; 33.6 x 41.5 x 2.0cm frame
- Signature & date
- Signed l.l. corner, brown oil "GP [monogram]. Nerli". Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 1958
- Accession number
- 9666
