Clara Southern

Key facts

Lived

1860–1940, Australian^[1]

Works held in

1 museum

Wikipedia

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• What is Clara Southern known for?+

  Clara Southern is known as one of the most consistent landscape painters of the colonial era. She was also the first woman elected to the Australian^[1] Artists' Association.
• What is Clara Southern's most famous work?+

  Clara Southern is best known for her painting *An Old Bee Farm* (circa 1900^[1]), now held by the National Gallery of Victoria. This work is a prime example of Australian^[1] Impressionism. It depicts a woman in a white dress tending to beehives in a sun-dappled orchard. Southern studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne. There, she was taught by George Folingsby and later, George Coates. Her style developed under their influence, moving toward naturalism and plein-air painting. She was associated with the Heidelberg School, a group of Australian artists who painted en plein air around Melbourne in the late 19th century. Although not formally a member, she shared their interest in capturing the Australian landscape and everyday life. *An Old Bee Farm* reflects this focus, presenting a serene vision of rural Australia. The painting's popularity stems from its idyllic subject matter and its representation of Australian light and atmosphere.
• What should I know about Clara Southern's prints?+

  Clara Southern (1860^[1]-1940^[1]) was an Australian^[1] artist of the Heidelberg School, also known as Australian Impressionism. She is best known for depictions of the rural landscape around Warrandyte, near Melbourne. Southern studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne from 1883^[1] to 1887, and later taught art classes herself. She was a member of the Victorian Artists' Society, and exhibited her work regularly. While primarily a painter, Southern's work also appeared in print form, in periodicals such as *The Australasian*. Her style is characterised by its naturalistic colour palette and focus on capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. Paintings such as *An Old Bee Farm* (c.1900) and *The Road to Warrandyte* (1926) demonstrate her interest in the local scenery. Prints of Southern's paintings offer an accessible way to appreciate her contribution to Australian art history, bringing her vision of the Australian bush into the home. They provide insight into the Heidelberg School's interpretation of the Australian environment at the turn of the century.
• What style or movement did Clara Southern belong to?+

  Clara Southern was an Australian^[1] artist associated with the Heidelberg School, also known as Australian Impressionism. This movement, which gained momentum in the late 19th century, focused on capturing the Australian bush and rural life en plein air. Southern studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne, and later established a studio and residence at "Blythe Bank" in Warrandyte, a location that became a gathering place for artists. Her work often depicted scenes of the Yarra River and the surrounding countryside. She captured the light and atmosphere of the Australian environment. While the Heidelberg School shared some similarities with European Impressionism, it developed its own distinct character. Artists developed a recognisably Australian style, often using a high-keyed palette to represent the intense sunlight and colours of the landscape. Southern's contributions are seen in her depictions of everyday life, such as women in gardens and children playing. These paintings offer a view into the social fabric of rural Australia at the turn of the century.
• What techniques or materials did Clara Southern use?+

  Clara Southern was known for her work in oils and watercolour. She often painted en plein air, directly observing the environment. Southern studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne from 1883^[1] to 1887. There, she was influenced by the Heidelberg School, also known as Australian^[1] Impressionism. This movement emphasised capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. Southern adopted a relatively naturalistic style, focusing on the rural scenes around Warrandyte, near Melbourne. Her paintings often feature loose brushwork and a muted palette. She used these techniques to depict the Australian bush and its inhabitants. Figures are often integrated into the scenery, rather than being the sole subject. Southern's approach to watercolour painting involved layering washes to create depth and luminosity. She also employed dry brush techniques for textural effects.
• What was Clara Southern known for?+

  Clara Southern (1860^[1]-1940^[1]) was an Australian^[1] artist associated with the Heidelberg School, also known as Australian Impressionism. She is known for her depictions of the rural landscape surrounding Melbourne, particularly the area around Warrandyte. Southern's style often incorporated figures within these settings, showing everyday life and activities. Her works capture the light and atmosphere of the Australian bush, and she often painted en plein air (outdoors) to achieve this. She studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne, and later established her own studio at 'Blythe Bank' in Warrandyte. Southern was one of the few women artists working in what was a male-dominated art movement; her work provides an important perspective on Australian life at the turn of the century.
• Where can I see Clara Southern's work?+

  Unfortunately, the provided texts do not contain specific information about where to view works by Clara Southern. However, many major art museums have online catalogues of their holdings; these databases may include works by Clara Southern, even if they are not on permanent display. Some museums with online catalogues include the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the National Gallery of Art (Washington DC), and the National Gallery of Scotland (Edinburgh). Additionally, it may be useful to consult the Art UK website, a collaboration between museums and public collections across the United Kingdom. This resource catalogues artworks held in public collections and may provide information about locations where Southern's work can be viewed.
• Where was Clara Southern from?+

  Clara Southern was an Australian^[1] artist, born Clara Lintermans in Kyneton, Victoria, in 1860^[1]. Her parents, John and Jane Lintermans, had arrived in Australia from Germany in 1854. Southern studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne from 1883^[1] to 1887, training under George Folingsby. There, she met fellow artists Jane Sutherland, Iso Rae, and May Vale. She later shared a studio with Jane Price. In 1905, Clara Southern and her husband, John Southern, purchased a property called Blythe Bank at Warrandyte, near Melbourne. This area was already known as an artists' colony. Blythe Bank became a gathering place for artists, and Southern was at the centre of this artistic community. She remained in Warrandyte until her death in 1940^[1]. Her connection to the area is such that she is often described as an artist of the Heidelberg School, despite living and working outside the Heidelberg area itself.
• Who did Clara Southern influence?+

  It is difficult to identify specific artists directly influenced by Clara Southern. The art world has become pluralistic, making it harder for a single artist to dominate a group. However, it is possible to examine artists whose work shares similarities with Southern's or who were part of similar artistic movements. Some artists explore qualities of starkness and voluptuousness, much like Matisse's drawings. Others find inspiration in earlier generations of artists, looking to them as a source of imagery. Some artists' work displays formal similarities with ceramic works, while others embrace mess and chaos in bringing together many objects in a single work. Häussler intertwined La Rosière’s history with that of actual artists and personages of the period. These artists, while not directly influenced by Southern, share common ground in their artistic approaches and inspirations.
• Who influenced Clara Southern?+

  The provided texts do not contain information about influences on Clara Southern. Instead, they discuss the artist Anni Albers, her relationship with Paul Klee, and the influence of Pre-Columbian art on her work. Albers studied with Klee at the Bauhaus, from 1922^[1]. She considered him a genius, particularly admiring his ability to combine abstract, geometric forms with natural, organic ones. Klee followed a philosophy emerging from English and German Romanticism, believing people succeed when independent and that the visual world is one of multiple realities. Albers purchased Klee's 'Two Forces' (Zwei Kraft, 1922) in 1924 and owned his classroom handbook, 'Pädagogisches Skizzenbuch'. Albers also had an interest in Pre-Columbian art, visiting ethnographic museums in Germany. She used books on Peruvian art and culture when teaching at Black Mountain College. The Alberses made frequent trips to Mexico and collected ancient American art, including textiles.
• Who was Clara Southern?+

  Information on Clara Southern is scarce in the provided texts. However, the texts do mention several other women botanical artists active in Australia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Louisa Anne Meredith (born Twamley in Birmingham, 1812; died in Melbourne, 1895^[1]) was an artist who emigrated to Australia in 1839. She wrote about her experiences in books such as *Notes and Sketches of New South Wales*, and she also produced botanical illustrations. Rosa Catherine Fiveash (born in Adelaide, 1854; died there in 1938) was commissioned to produce illustrations for John Ednie Brown's *Forest Flora*. She was also an art teacher, instructing students in china painting. Gertrude Louisa Blacket (born Lovegrove in New South Wales, 1859; died in Sydney, 1961) collaborated with William Bäuerlen on *The Wild Flowers of New South Wales*. Marian Ellis Rowan (born Ryan in Melbourne, 1848; died in Victoria, 1922) was a popular flower painter. Her compositions were known for their density, incorporating many specimens and elements.
• Why are Clara Southern's works important today?+

  Clara Southern (1860^[1]-1940^[1]) was an Australian^[1] artist associated with the Heidelberg School, also known as Australian Impressionism. While not as widely recognised as some of her male contemporaries, her works offer a valuable perspective on Australian life and art at the turn of the 20th century. Southern's paintings often depict scenes of women in rural settings, offering a counterpoint to the more traditionally masculine subjects of the Heidelberg School. Her focus on domesticity and the everyday lives of women provides insight into the social fabric of the time. Her art also contributes to a broader understanding of Impressionism outside Europe. Southern adapted the techniques and aesthetics of Impressionism to the Australian environment, capturing the unique light and colours of the bush. This adaptation demonstrates the global reach and diverse interpretations of Impressionism as an artistic movement. Today, Southern's works are important for their representation of women's experiences, their contribution to Australian art history, and their perspective on the international development of Impressionism.