British Art for Australia, 1860-1953: The Acquisition of Artworks from the United Kingdom by Australian National Galleries

The study investigates how Australians used British art to construct a unique identity, which pieces were desirable, economically accessible, and why, and how the acquisition of British art fits into a larger cultural context of the British world. It examines the competing roles of British Old Masters, Victorian, and modern artists alongside political and economic factors, such as the developing global art market, imperial commerce, Australian Federation, the First World War, and the coming of age of the Commonwealth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Traditional postcolonial scholarship on art and imperialism has focused on the tensions between colonizing cores and subjugated peripheries, with the ties between London and British white settler colonies often overlooked. Artworks not only reveal the controlling intentions of imperialist artists but also the various uses to which they were put by others in their afterlives. In many cases, these artworks were used to fuel contests over cultural identity, exposing a mixture of rifts and consensuses within the British ranks, which were often assumed to be homogeneous.

To address this gap in scholarship, British Art for Australia, 1860–1953: The Acquisition of Artworks from the United Kingdom by Australian National Galleries represents the first systematic and comparative study of collecting British art in Australia between 1860 and 1953. This study utilizes the archives of the Australian national galleries and other key Australian and UK institutions to explore how Australians used British art to carve a distinct identity. By analyzing the selection of artworks, their desirability, economic attainability, and the reasons behind their acquisition, the study aims to appeal to multiple audiences in the disciplines of art history, cultural history, and museology.

The study considers the often competing roles of British Old Masters such as Romney and Constable, Victorian artists like Madox Brown and Millais, and modern artists like Nash and Spencer alongside political and economic factors. These factors include the developing global art market, imperial commerce, the Australian Federation, the First World War, and the coming of age of the Commonwealth. The acquisition of British art in Australia during this period was shaped by these various factors, reflecting the complex interplay between artistic expression, cultural identity, and the broader political and economic context of the British world.

Through its comprehensive analysis, British Art for Australia, 1860–1953: The Acquisition of Artworks from the United Kingdom by Australian National Galleries sheds light on the previously neglected ties between London and British white settler colonies, providing a fresh perspective on the history of art collecting and cultural exchange in Australia. It contributes to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted relationships between imperialism, cultural identity, and artistic production, offering valuable insights into the broader cultural landscape of the British world.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032475790