School of Historical and Philosophical Studies - Theses

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End date: 1999 × Start date: 1990 × Type: Masters Research thesis × Subject: 19th century ×

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    Some foundations of science in Victoria in the decade after separation
    Cohn, Helen M ( 1990)
    The decade following separation from New South Wales must surely be considered one of the most dramatic in Victoria's history. In that short space of time Victoria was transformed from a small dependent colony into a bustling cosmopolitan self-governing community of enormous wealth, completely outstripping its neighbours in the process. There had been an influx of migrants of such magnitude that the civil authorities found it very difficult to keep up with the population explosion. It must at times have seemed to them to be an impossible task to provide food, housing, water, power, roads and transport, sewerage and other amenities adequate to cope with the increasing number of people pouring into the colony. Added to this were problems of civil insurrection, severe economic depression, major constitutional reforms, and great political instability. During this period, despite all the trials and difficulties they had to face, Victorians developed a real sense that they were the premier colony, that they could achieve. whatever they set out to accomplish. There was a great feeling of optimism and self-confidence.
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    Satisfying their egos: Eugene von Guérard's homestead 'portraits', 1855-1875
    GAVVA, ELLEN ( 1998)
    Eugene von Guerard (1811-1901), a German artist, lived for twenty-eight years inAustralia (1853-1881) and achieved considerable success as a painter. He was a popular and the most controversial Australian artist of the middle of the nineteenth century. His contribution to Australian art was largely forgotten until the 1960s. Von Guerard has mainly been presented as a landscape artist and poorly regarded as a country property painter. My research examines von Guerard as a homestead painter(1855-1875), who was commissioned by wealthy squatters to immortalise their success and prosperity in paintings of their estates. I have analysed five of von Guerard's paintings, of three homesteads "'Purrumbete' from across the Lake" and "From the verandah of 'Purrumbete'" (1858), two canvases of "Bushy Park" (1861)and "Glenara". He skilfully linked the diverse elements of the landscape, the history of human occupation and the achievements of the proprietors. Von Guerard's style of painting incorporated Romantic traditions and the English traditions of country house painting, which the squatters, who were of British background, wanted to see in their paintings. By combining these traditions, the artist represented the commissioners' homesteads according to their personal request and aspirations. Von Guerard depicted in detail the wishes, ambitions, desires and achievements of the squatters - to satisfy their egos. He recorded the possessions of the estate owners' in art and presented a view and perception what was wanted by commissioners. He created a portraiture of the history of the squatters and symbolised the objects significant to them and particular events in their lives. Von Guerard's homestead 'portraits' are valuable as historical documents. They arevisual records of the development of the colony, the squatters' establishment of the Old Word traditions and their status in Australia.