We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Robert Malherbe Govetts Leap

oil on linen

91.5 x 122 cm

Govetts Leap is a popular scenic view in my part of the world – Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, NSW. From my first glimpse of it 12 years ago, I have fallen in love with this view and have painted it many times.

This painting was executed en plein air in oils and took just over two hours to finish. Rather than trying to describe or illustrate its splendour, this time I willfully attempted to reinvent its form, space and light; the nearer to cleave to it.

The influential image in the back of my mind was Picasso’s last great landscape painting of 1972, which was recently exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW.

- Robert Malherbe