Thomas William Roberts was an English-born Australian artist and a key member of the Heidelberg School art movement, also known as Australian impressionism.
Roberts, c. 1895
Allegro con brio: Bourke Street west, 1885, Roberts' first major work after returning to Australia
When the quiet east flushes faintly at the sun's last look (1887), painted at the Box Hill artists' camp
Going home (1889), exhibited at the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition
The Heidelberg School was an Australian art movement of the late 19th century. It has been described as Australian impressionism.
Arthur Streeton, Golden Summer, Eaglemont, 1889
Tom Roberts, Shearing the Rams, 1890
Buxton's Rooms, Swanston Street, site of the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition
The 9 by 5 catalogue, designed by Conder, shows a female as an allegory of art being unraveled from the bandages of 'Convention'. The exhibition's theme of transience is also symbolised by falling blossoms and a dragonfly, which in folklore lives only one day.