26 June - 6 September 2009
Exclusive to the Art Gallery of South Australia,
Making Nature: Masters of European Landscape Art explores
the way in which European artists since the Renaissance have represented the landscape according to
three different ideologies: the ideal, the romantic and the realistic. Through superb oil
paintings, sculptures, watercolours, prints, drawings and photographs from the collection of the
Art Gallery of South Australia, visitors to this exhibition experience the emotive powers, serenity
and poetry of nature.
Awaken your senses and imagination to the possibility, promise and thrill of nature and
explore the works of the masters of the European landscape tradition through its greatest
exponents: Titian, Claude Lorrain, Rembrandt, Joseph Wright of Derby, J.M.W. Turner, James McNeill
Whistler, Eugène Boudin, Vanessa Bell, Lucien Pissarro, Nikolaus Lang and Andy Goldsworthy.
Curator of the exhibition and author of the accompanying book is Jane Messenger, the Art
Gallery of South Australia’s Curator of European Art. Messenger said “this survey of European
landscape art offers a rare opportunity to see how artists have imagined nature through the ages,
which has in turn influenced the way we see the world around us. As the twentieth-century German
artist Paul Klee stated “art does not reproduce the visible; rather it makes visible”.
“The way the landscape is represented by the artist is dependant on his historical, political
and cultural position, realising the strong association between the making of art and the time
during which it was made” Messenger said.
At a time when environmental issues are being so fiercely debated around the world, there is
perhaps no better time to review how man has imagined or evaluated his relationship with nature and
art through the ages.
Claude‑Joseph Vernet,
France, 1714 ‑ 1789,
The four times of day: Midday,
1757, Paris, oil on silvered copper, 29.5 x 43.5 cm, Gift
of James Fairfax AO, through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 1998, Art Gallery of
South Australia, Adelaide.
The opening of
Making Nature will be closely followed by a free public
lecture about the art of European landscape and a series of exhibition talks.
Other exhibition-related events include expert guided tours, an art workshop
The Lure of the Landscape with renowned watercolour
exponent, Arthur Phillips, an “after-dark”
DEPARTURE event and children’s art and
craft sessions.
Making Nature is generously supported by Ernst & Young.
Managing Partner, South Australia, Mark Butcher said “Ernst & Young is excited to be supporting
the Art Gallery of South Australia and the
Making Nature exhibition. This significant collection of
European landscape art acquired over a century by South Australia’s own gallery is a testament to
this state’s passion for culture and art. Ernst & Young is committed to sponsoring the arts and
we are proud that our contribution can help bring these important works to the community so that
they may inspire and uplift”.
Making Nature will not tour and can only be seen on display
in Adelaide at the Art Gallery of South Australia from Friday 26 June until Sunday 6 September
2009.
Curator > Jane Messenger, Curator European Art, Art Gallery of South Australia.
Admission
Adult $10, Concession $8, Member $6, Student (16 & over) $8, Child (U16) free. Season
ticket $15 (available only to Members).
Restaurant meal and ticket deal
2 courses ticket from $39, 3 courses ticket $59. Available Sunday–Friday. Bookings
recommended 8232 4366. More information
here.
Exhibition sponsors
Detail: Claude Lorrain,
Capriccio with ruins of the Roman Forum, c.1634, Rome, Gift
of the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation assisted by the State Bank of South Australia on
the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of South Australia 1985, Art Gallery of South Australia,
Adelaide.
