Artist of the day #1 Eugene von Guerard

Johann Joseph Eugene von Guérard

We begin our artist of the day posts with Johann Joseph Eugene von Guérard (17 November 1811 – 17 April 1901). What a long name, right? Don’t worry he is more commonly referenced as Eugene von Guerard. He is most widely known for his incredible scenic paintings that include intricate details that have even shown some scientific worth. The reason I like this cat is that he started off under the tutelage of his father, a painter as well.

Though his father was “a painter of miniatures at the court of Emperor Francis I of Austria” (wikiart). Johann would gain valuable insights into painting, traveling, and more than likely life in general from this early period with his father. I also found it interesting that he went to Australia to become a gold miner and ended up becoming one of the most renowned landscape artists of his time. It goes to show you just never know what path life will take.

elevated” subject matter in the style of a new “truthful”‘ realism.

He would go on to have more formal studies as well. One of the most impressionable institutions and people he would meet came from Germany. According to Wikiart, “During his studies at the Düsseldorf Academy he absorbed the new criterion for German art promoted by his landscape lecturer Johann Wilhelm Schirmer under the directorship of ex-Nazaren member Wilhelm von Schadow: to present “elevated” subject matter in the style of a new “truthful”‘ realism.” You can see this truthful realism in his works, particularly those from his time in Australia and New Zealand. His work magically transports us back to the past– a jump into his world– a place to be part of the nature he immortalized and a chance to feel the crisp air he felt as he painted these works.

From wide open spaces to rural Australian countryside and life Eugene von Guerard is sure to tantalize your imagination for an age that is now only a brief chapter in the history of mankind.

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Learn more about this artist and see more of their work on Wikiart and/or Wikipedia (all information and art is public domain available from the aforementioned sources)