Tom Roberts’ masterpiece ~ Shearing the Rams 1890

Wednesday, 28 March 2007 22:32

Victoria, Australia - A new view of one of Australia’s most famous and iconic paintings, Tom Roberts’ Shearing the Rams, was revealed at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Painting Conservation Lab.  In preparation for a major forthcoming exhibition of Australian impressionist paintings at NGV Australia, the NGV conservation department have been restoring Roberts’ masterpiece.  During the restoration, x-ray examination has revealed what lies beneath the finished work, showing how Roberts originally constructed the painting.  Michael Varcoe-Cocks, NGV Paintings Conservator, today showed an unusual view of Shearing the Rams as it sat out of its frame, mid-way through treatment, and next to a near-life-size x-ray of the painting.

Mr Varcoe-Cocks said: “The restoration process begins with a comprehensive technical examination. The x-ray of this painting has revealed Roberts’ first attempts at composition.  Significantly, it shows a completely different rendition of the central sheerer which Roberts later abandoned and painted over. 

“It’s been many years since Shearing the Rams has been seen as the artist intended.  The painting was last restored over 60 years ago and since that time a natural resin varnish layer has slowly degraded and become increasingly discolored.  This layer and other restorations are being removed so we can once again see the painting’s true colors.”

Frances Lindsay, Deputy Director, NGV said painting restorations were always exciting, especially when they reveal major changes to the work: “That we have the technology to see through the layers of a painting produced over 100 years ago is truly remarkable.”

Tom Roberts began work on Shearing the Rams at Brocklesby Station, near Corowa, in the spring of 1888.  Finished two years later in 1890, Shearing the Rams is often hailed as a masterpiece of Australian impressionism. One of Roberts’ most academic paintings, he composed the image in a very planned and calculated manor, putting together over 70 preparatory drawings before beginning to paint.

In March 2007, a fully restored Shearing the Rams will be part of a new exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.  Australian Impressionism will bring together some of the most famous and iconic images of our nation during the first phase of the Heidelberg School, the 12 years from 1885 to 1897.  Visit The National Gallery of Victoria : www.ngv.vic.gov.au