Tom Roberts

Tom Roberts was an Australian painter at the turn of the 19th century who, after studying in Europe, was a key figure in bringing Impressionism to Australia. He advocated for an Australian Impressionism movement that came to be known as the Heidelberg School. His work embraces the typical Impressionist fascination with fleeting light and the hustle and bustle of life in a rapidly modernizing society. His most well regarded paintings capture the daily working of sheep farmers and Australia’s wool industry—one of the pivotal aspects of the country’s economy. Although historically recognized as an important figure in Australian art, Roberts did not paint regularly enough to amount significant wealth, but supplemented his income with a lucrative framing business.