759.994 AUS

This book is about the art-historical importance of a group of painters in Australia* connected to the Impressionist movement in Europe, and in many ways establishing a eurocentric cultural capital in one of the UKs colonies. It is a shame that this is the most recent book of the set and what looks like the most heavily funded and both exhibitied and published by the largest institution: The National Gallery. Deep pockets (of questionable philanthropic value) have funnelled money into this, and I'd suggest that's worth paying attention to when it's speaking about the history (art or otherwise) of a country with a government and mainstream media who regularly deny the violence1 with which Australia was colonised and who want to soften the ties(role) to Europe and the UK. This catalogue and exhibition received additonal financial support from Australian mining and media corporations and the philanthropic foundations2 attached to them. This financial ties make it possible that its a kind of propaganda being funded by Australian media, mining and gambling money: Kerry Packer's family3 and Kerry Stokes4. The National Gallery is not a surprising character in this as a conservative museum of artwork that tells histories of domination and oppression, and with limited criticality. I'd be interested to know what broader historical context is given alongside the art history in the book. The intro is written by a cultural and environmental law academic in Australia and the essays are written by a number of Australian and UK art historians.