Artwork
My last view of Italy, looking from the ...
My last view of Italy, looking from the ... is an oil painting by John Glover. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
About this work
Overview
John Glover, an English‑born painter who emigrated to Van Diemen’s Land, completed the oil canvas *My last view of Italy, looking from the …* in 1835. Though created after his relocation to the Australian colony, the work retains a European subject, portraying an Italian landscape that reflects his lingering attachment to his native continent.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a tranquil Italian scene: a prominent tree dominates the foreground, its foliage illuminated by sunlight, while gentle hills and distant mountains recede into the horizon. Small human figures appear far in the distance, providing scale and suggesting a lived environment within the idyllic vista.
Technique & Style
Glover employs a warm palette of browns and greens, using bold, expressive brushwork to convey texture and movement. The handling of light on the tree’s leaves demonstrates a nuanced chiaroscuro, creating depth through strong contrasts of illumination and shadow.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where it remains on display. It represents an early example of Glover’s work produced in the colony, merging his European training with the sensibilities he developed in Australia.
Context
Regarded as a pioneer of Australian landscape painting, Glover’s career bridged two continents. This work, created after his settlement in Tasmania, illustrates how his artistic focus continued to encompass European motifs even as he adapted to the new colonial environment.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Glover (18 February 1767 – 9 December 1849) was an English-born artist. In later life he migrated to Van Diemen’s Land and became a pastoralist during the early colonial period. He has been dubbed "the father of…
