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ClosedReopening 30 May 2025

Arthur Streeton

The domes of St Mark's, 1908

Arthur Streeton’s landscapes have become deeply entwined with a sense of national identity and mythmaking in Australian art. Renowned for his ability to capture light and shadow, Streeton was one of the key members of the Heidelberg School. The domes of St Mark’s is an interesting example from within Streeton’s body of work, as it was produced outside of Australia, when Streeton was on honeymoon with his wife—violinist Esther Leonora ‘Nora’ Clench—this painting represents an example of Streeton’s remarkable technical ability and his particular gift for capturing intense sunlight in his painting. Streeton was, at this time, reportedly aware of mounting criticism at home that his work had become too commercial, and painted this piece knowing it was to be exhibited in Australia in 1909. Nonetheless, in letters written at this time, he described his sense of confidence in the work he was making in Venice.

Artist / Maker
Arthur Streeton (1867—1943)
Creation Date
1908
Collection
Ewing Collection
Subjects
Art and Design - Paintings
Materials used
oil on canvas
Dimensions
(H x W x D)
sight 62.4 x 75 cm frame 86.8 x 99.4 x 7.5 cm
Credit line
The University of Melbourne Art Collection. Gift of Dr Samuel Arthur Ewing, 1938
Accession number
1938.0023.000.000
Copyright
Public domain. For image enquiries contact the Museums and Collections Department, Potter Museum of Art.
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