State Library of South Australia

Hahndorf (Watercolour) [PRG 1344/11] • Artwork

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Summary

This work depicts a scene at Hahndorf. It was painted 16 April, 1910 and is part of a selection of watercolour paintings by amateur artist, Thomas Wood, featuring scenes of Hahndorf, Port Augusta, Salt Creek near Port Lincoln, Port Lincoln, Calicalinga (Carrickalinga), Mount Barker, Wallaroo, Willunga and Noarlunga. Instead of the unique signature symbol used in the work entitled 'From back of refectory' 1904, Wood has simply titled and dated this work. Wood attempts to create an ideal setting by limiting details to the bottom third section of the composition. A pencil line, where he has gauged the horizon, is still visible. This technique is used to intensify the scene. The eye is lead from the bottom left, where the fence begins to the centre of the path where two tiny figures stand. From there the path is followed to a low horizon line where eucalypts create a blue haze. In comparison to the two girls, the trees on either side of the path appear gigantic, which is indicative of the deeply wooded area around Hahndorf. The artist has consciously used techniques for creating distance and scale in this work and may be considered illustrative or contrived. However, the work is also a good example of what Hahndorf might have looked like in 1910, which is perhaps similar to how it appears now in some areas. The low horizon line extends to an atmosphere which further intensifies the tree canopy and the tiny figures below. Despite his amateur status as an artist, Wood has been able to illustrate a scene with conviction. Although an amateur, Wood has provided an acurate example of the geography of the Hahndorf area in the early 1900's.

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Physical description

25.5 cm x 35.7 cm (image); (unframed)

Dates / Publication details

1910

Creator

Wood, Thomas

Subject

Wood, Thomas, 1854-1937
Watercolor painting -- Australia
Landscape painting, Australian
Hahndorf (S.A.)

Catalogue record

Return to catalogue

Formatted content

PRIMARY INSCRIPTION:(bot r) Hahndorf 16 Ap. 10 (pencil); SECONDARY INSCRIPTION: (top r) "PRG 1344/11" (pencil).

General notes

Details of the individual paintings can be viewed online by searching under the number PRG 1344.

Historical information

Thomas Wood was an accomplished amateur watercolour artist. He was born in England about 1854, choosing a career in the Church of England. He was curate of St Paul's, Blackburn from 1878-1880 (having been made a deacon in 1878 and ordained as a priest at Manchester Cathedral in 1879). From 1880-1883 he was Railway Chaplain at Podanur, Madras, then travelled to South Australia where he became the incumbent at Robe (1884-1887). He was rector of Wallaroo (1887-1902) and at Willunga, Aldinga and Noarlunga (with McLaren Vale from 1911) for the period 1902-1921. He then worked as a licensed preacher in the Adelaide Diocese from 1921 until 1936 whilst living at Walkerville. He died on 12 November 1937, aged 83.

Digitisation information

Date

23/05/2008

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

3,061 x 4,245 pixels (13.0 MP)

Size

39.02 MB

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