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Hans Heysen: 'The saplings', 1904

Image Hans Heysen: 'The saplings', 1904

TLF ID M012602

This resource includes an enlargeable image of the painting 'The saplings' by Hans Heysen and catalogue information about the painting. There is also a video with audio commentary and corresponding onscreen text that provides an interpretation of the painting and information about the artist's views. The painting pays homage to the uniqueness of the Australian landscape and the majestic forms of Australian gum trees.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • This is a resource of great value for the Responding strand of the Visual Arts curriculum in upper-primary and secondary schooling. It is especially so for content descriptions that may refer to students responding to the visual arts works of Australian artists and considering the broader historical and cultural contexts and significance of their work. The resource gives students the opportunity to closely examine 'The saplings' and read a senior curator's response to the work.
  • The comprehensive resource is significant when researching and analysing Australian artists' representations of the landscape and its elements. Heysen's eye for detail and his unique view of the Australian landscape were synonymous with the post-impressionist artists of the patriotic Federation era. His body of work is pivotal in the development of an Australian artistic identity.
  • The resource may also have some relevance for the Literacy and Critical and creative thinking general capabilities.
  • 'The saplings', 1904 is exemplary of Hans Heysen's representations of the landscape, providing viewers with excellent draftsmanship and acute details of textures, shapes and colours. Heysen's exploration of atmosphere and light generates the warmth and serenity of the scene and an emotional reverence for the subject, the gum tree.
Year level

5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10

Topics Regional art Australian art Cultural imperialism Cultural interaction Painting Arts industry Composition (Visual arts) Artists Art exhibitions Visual arts Art movements Art materials Landscape art Culture Visual arts portfolios Colour (Visual arts) Painters Audiences Mixed media Cultural contexts Historical settings (Narratives) Social settings (Narratives) Cultural awareness Cultural identity Gum trees Multimedia Narratives Oil painting Settings (Narratives) Texture (Visual arts) Symbolism (Art movements) Art themes Artistic purpose
Learning area
  • The Arts
  • Visual Arts

Other details

Contributors
  • Contributor
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au/
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: National Gallery of Australia
  • Organization: National Gallery of Australia
  • URL: http://www.artsearch.nga.gov.au/
  • Publisher
  • Name: National Gallery of Australia
  • Organization: National Gallery of Australia
  • Description: Publisher
  • URL: http://www.artsearch.nga.gov.au/
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Unknown
Learning Resource Type
  • Image
  • Text
  • Video
Rights
  • © National Gallery of Australia 2009 (except where otherwise indicated). This material may be copied, downloaded, communicated and displayed free of charge for non-commercial educational use until 31 December 2015, provided all acknowledgements associated with the material are retained.