Droving into the light

Droving into the light is a 1921 painting by Australian artist Hans Heysen. The painting depicts a drover on horseback moving sheep along a road, although the main focus is the light falling on the eucalyptus trees, especially a large river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) right of centre.[1] It is part of the collection of the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth.[2]

Droving into the light
ArtistHans Heysen
Year1921
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensions121.9 cm × 152.4 cm (48.0 in × 60.0 in)
LocationArt Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
Websitehttps://artgallery.wa.gov.au/192200p1-droving-light

The painting has been described as "Heysen’s most successful use of light in all his eucalypt paintings in oil" and "one of Australia’s greatest Federation pictures".[1]

Heysen here presents his finest display of visual choreography, directing us through a triumphal gateway of monumental gums to a sunbathed verdant landscape beyond.

— Tracey Lock-Weir, [1]

The painting, while apparently natural, was extensively reworked by Heysen.[1]

... I realised the weakness of the composition and repainted portions, introducing the large central Red Gum. This helped to bind the two sides and made a great improvement, materially enhancing the whole conception.

— Hans Heysen, 1954, [1]

References
  1. Lock-Weir, Tracey. "Droving into the light". Hans Heysen. National Gallery of Australia. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  2. "Droving into the light". Art Gallery of Western Australia. Retrieved 16 April 2019.


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