John Peter Russell

The Australian Impressionist John Peter Russell was an accomplished painter in his own right but is perhaps best known for creating the first oil portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. Though it’s hard to imagine an Australian at the heart of Impressionism, Russell was, in fact, connected to the movement’s stalwarts. He painted Claude Monet on the French island of Belle Île and helped usher Matisse into the movement as well (according to Matisse himself). His work was usually awash in bright, vibrant hues; his depictions of flora hum with activity.