I still vividly remember my first encounter with Frederick McCubbin’s The Pioneer, which was not long after I arrived in Australia. The monumental, deeply moving triptych that depicted for me, a very relatable reflection of the “migrant experience,” of what it means to adjust to an unfamiliar environment, to a new life. What struck me then, and still does now, is McCubbin’s ability to convey meaning through painting. This timeless and important work of art proves that true artistry is not defined to a time or place.
That memory returned to me immediately when I first encountered this collection of important Australian art, which we are privileged to present in August. Comprising of thirty-three works, including major works by some of Australia’s most celebrated Impressionist artists, such as Frederick McCubbin, Rupert Bunny, Emanuel Phillips Fox, Tom Roberts and Arthur Streeton. This private collection offers not only exceptional individual paintings but a poetic vision of an important era in Australian art.
It feels especially fitting to present these works in alignment with the French Impressionism exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, which explores the evolution of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in late 19th-century France, spotlighting the pioneering artists who chartered new artistic territory. This exhibition serves as a parallel to Australia’s interpretation of light-drenched plein air painting, shaped by its vastly different landscapes and histories.
One of the highlights of this private collection is the momentous late work by McCubbin: The Lime Tree (Yarra River from Kensington Road, South Yarra), painted in 1917, the final year of his life. This luminous landscape captures the Yarra River as seen from the artist’s home, with the gentle atmosphere that defined his late style. It is fascinating to see this part of Melbourne through the artist’s eyes, captured before skyscrapers, roads, and cars transformed it into the modern city we know today. With provenance tracing back to McCubbin’s wife and a rich exhibition history including the National Gallery of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia, it is a poetic work that closes a remarkable career, making it a significant piece of Australian art history.
Equally exceptional is Nue En Plein Air by Emanuel Phillips Fox, painted circa 1911 during his mature years in Paris. This work shows Fox’s fascination with the play of light on the human figure. The model, thought to be the artist Edith Susan Gerard Anderson, appears immersed in a private moment, bathed in sunlight. It is an outdoor nude of great elegance, beautifully executed by Fox. Rare to the market and published in Ruth Zubans’ seminal monograph, it is one of the most refined and sensuous examples of his modern plein air figuration.
Then there is our cover image, The Sonata by Rupert Bunny, a painting that captures the romanticism and optimism of his time. First exhibited in Melbourne in 1911 and later in Lyon at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, the painting shows two female figures softly illuminated in a quiet room. With its gentle palette, rhythmic composition, and immaculate provenance, The Sonata is a masterpiece of mood and grace. It stands alongside major works in institutional collections and has been published in Bunny’s catalogue raisonné.
The collection, built quietly and with great consideration over decades, represents a passionate engagement with turn-of-the-century Australian painting. The collector, who wishes to remain private, has assembled an exceptional art collection. It is both a joy and an honour to present these paintings at Leonard Joel, marking a rare opportunity to engage with important Australian art of timeless beauty.
A Private Collection of Important Australian Art will take place on Monday 25 August 2025 in Melbourne. This collection will be on view in both Sydney and Melbourne. For viewing times and to see the full catalogue please visit our website.
By Wiebke Brix, Head of Art
Top Image: Frederick McCubbin (1855-1917) The Lime Tree (Yarra River from Kensington Road, South Yarra) 1917, oil on canvas mounted on panel, 97 x 110cm. Estimate on Request
August 2025