The Colonial Image: Australian Painting 1800–1880 by Tim Bonyhady offers an insightful and beautifully presented exploration of the formative years of Australian art. Published in association with the Australian National Gallery, this first edition traces how European artistic traditions were adapted and transformed in the colonial context, as settlers and artists sought to represent a new and unfamiliar landscape and society.
Bonyhady examines key figures such as Eugene von Guérard, Conrad Martens, John Glover, Nicholas Chevalier, and S. T. Gill, highlighting how their work shaped visual perceptions of Australia during the 19th century.
The book explores themes of national identity, environment, and the portrayal of colonial life—balancing art historical analysis with cultural and social commentary.
The volume includes high-quality reproductions of significant works from the collection of the Australian National Gallery, among them von Guérard’s Ferntree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges (1857).
