Heidelberg School (1880's-1890's)
The Heidelberg School developed in the 1880s–1890s in Australia, particularly around Melbourne. It is often described as Australian Impressionism, as artists were influenced by European Impressionism but adapted it to their own environment.
Artists painted outdoors to capture the unique qualities of the Australian landscape—its bright light, dry atmosphere, and distinctive colours. Their work often focused on rural life, reflecting a growing sense of national identity as Australia moved towards federation.
The movement represents an important moment in Australian art, where artists began to move away from European traditions and develop a style rooted in their own surroundings.
Artworks to be inspired by-
You may like to try to reproduce a work by Tom Roberts
Shearing the Rams – Tom Roberts
Date: 1890
Medium: Oil on canvas
Painted by Tom Roberts, this work shows shearers at work inside a rural shed. The composition is carefully structured, guiding the viewer’s eye across the scene, while the light and colour capture the atmosphere of the space.
The painting celebrates everyday labour and rural life, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Australia’s identity. It is a prime example of the Heidelberg School because it combines Impressionist techniques with a strong sense of place and national narrative.
Jane Sutherland – Obstruction, Box Hill
Date: c. 1887
Medium: Oil on canvas
This painting captures a sunlit landscape with soft, natural tones and loose brushwork. A fallen tree disrupts the view, creating both a physical and compositional “obstruction” within the scene. The light filters gently across the ground, giving a strong sense of atmosphere.
Sutherland’s work reflects the Heidelberg School’s focus on painting outdoors and capturing the effects of light in the Australian landscape. Her approach is quieter and more reflective than some of her contemporaries, but it still embodies the movement’s emphasis on observation and environment. The painting shows how artists adapted Impressionist ideas to a distinctly Australian setting.
Artists to Research:
Tom Roberts
Arthur Streeton
Charles Conder
Jane Sutherland One of the few recognised female artists of the movement, painting plein air landscapes with sensitivity to light and atmosphere.
Clara Southern Known for rural scenes and domestic life, bringing a quieter, more intimate perspective to Heidelberg ideals.
Florence Fuller Worked within and beyond the movement, combining portraiture with Impressionist influences.
Other Research:
Find out more about the Heidelberg school and the Australian birth of impressionism
Listen to this ABC podcast about the Heidelberg school