Mount Olympus, Lake St Clair, Tasmania, the source ...

Executed in oil, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model the mountain’s rugged forms against a sky mottled with clouds and patches of blue. Subtle gradations of light create atmospheric depth, while the reflective surface of the lake mirrors the surrounding foliage, reinforcing a sense of three‑dimensional space.

Created in 1875, the canvas entered the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the gallery’s early commitment to documenting Australian landscapes through the work of pioneering artists such as Piguenit.

Piguenit was among the first Australian painters to travel extensively in Tasmania, documenting its remote scenery for a growing colonial audience. This painting aligns with mid‑19th‑century interests in natural history and exploration, offering a visual record of a region then largely unknown to European settlers.