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Howard BarronAustralian River Landscape Painting by 20th Century English Australian Artist1970
1970
About the Item
Australian River Landscape Painting by 20th Century English Australian Artist, Howard Barron (1900–1991) depicting a scene along the Murrumbidgee River in Australia’s New South Wales.
Art measures 20 x 16 inches
Frame measures 24 x 20 inches
Background of Howard Barron (1900–1991)
Howard Barron was a British-born painter and draughtsman, educated in Kent and Sussex, who built a notable artistic career in both Australia and the UK . In 1924 he moved from England to Sydney, Australia to study art under Sir Will Ashton, a prominent landscape painter. Barron quickly gained recognition as an outstanding landscape artist, painting the Australian countryside around New South Wales – including the Newcastle area and along the Hawkesbury, Murrumbidgee, and Wollondilly Rivers . By 1933, one of his landscapes (Afternoon, Kangaroo Valley) was purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, signaling his early success . Throughout the 1940s he also became known for portraiture – he was a finalist in the Archibald Prize multiple times – demonstrating his versatility . After World War II, Barron returned to England (and also spent time in France) in the late 1940s. During this period he received high-profile portrait commissions, including paintings of Sir Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II . He even painted the famed Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba (a portrait that now hangs in Australia House, London) . Barron eventually settled back in Australia in the late 1950s and lived there until his death in 1991 . His works are held in various public collections, reflecting his standing in both countries.
Artistic Style and Known Works:
Howard Barron’s artistic style was rooted in traditional representational painting, with a focus on landscapes and portraits. In Australia, he immersed himself in the landscape, likely painting en plein air, and developed a light-filled, naturalistic style influenced by the Australian Impressionist tradition. Contemporary accounts describe him as an “outstanding landscape painter,” which is evident in the vibrant rural scenes he produced . Barron often depicted the Australian countryside – rolling hills, rivers, gum trees and the distinct golden light of the outback – with a realism tempered by an atmospheric, painterly touch. For example, his early landscape Afternoon, Kangaroo Valley captured the bucolic scenery of New South Wales so convincingly that it was acquired by a national gallery . Other noted landscape works include Evening, Benangaroo and Burrinjuck Dam, which were finalists for the Wynne Prize (Australia’s prestigious landscape art award) in 1944 . These titles point to real locations in rural New South Wales, indicating Barron’s habit of drawing directly from actual scenery. Barron’s portraiture, on the other hand, showcased his academic training and attention to character. In the 1940s he pivoted to painting prominent figures; for instance, he was commissioned to paint two portraits of Winston Churchill after the war . His ability to capture likeness and stature made him a sought-after portraitist for dignitaries and celebrities. Barron exhibited in respected venues (such as the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in London and the St. Ives Society of Artists) and his paintings – whether landscapes or portraits – were known for their solid technique and a balance of detail with artistic expression . In summary, Barron’s style married realism with a gentle impressionistic quality, allowing him to authentically portray both the sunlit vistas of Australia and the personalities of his portrait subjects.
The Painting: Location and Inspiration
“The M’Bridge River” depicts a scene along the Murrumbidgee River in Australia’s New South Wales. Barron frequently painted the Murrumbidgee River and its surrounds – a region of inland NSW characterized by broad waterways, eucalyptus (gum) trees, and pastoral landscapes . In fact, Barron created works explicitly set on the Murrumbidgee (for example, Sandbanks of the Murrumbidgee River and The Murrumbidgee at Jugiong, NSW (1945), in the Queensland Art Gallery collection). The title “M’Bridge” appears to be an abbreviated reference to “Murrumbidgee,” which was one of Barron’s favorite painting locales. (It’s possible the apostrophe denotes a contraction; Barron’s focus on the Murrumbidgee makes it very likely that “M’Bridge River” is shorthand for that river’s name.) Notably, no actual place name “M’Bridge” is known to exist as a geographic location on its own – further suggesting the painting’s title is a stylistic or shorthand label rather than a different locale.
Given Barron’s Australian period and subjects, the landscape in M’Bridge almost certainly reflects the Australian countryside. Viewers familiar with Australian river landscapes will recognize elements like the dry scrub and gum trees along a wide riverbank, which are emblematic of the Murrumbidgee region (spanning parts of southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory). This area often features gently rolling hills and a river with sandy or pebbled banks – imagery that matches the mood of Barron’s M’Bridge scene. The coloring and vegetation in the painting (as seen in reproductions and similar works) resemble the sunny, earthy tones of the outback rather than the lush greens of European landscapes, pointing to Australia as the setting. Barron’s artistic focus reinforces this interpretation: during his years in Australia he gravitated to painting rivers like the Hawkesbury and Murrumbidgee, capturing their distinctive light and topography . It’s therefore highly likely that “M’Bridge” is not an imaginary scene but drawn from a real spot along the Murrumbidgee River, filtered through Barron’s artistic eye.
In terms of pinpointing a specific location, the painting may condense generic features of the Murrumbidgee rather than depict a named landmark. Barron did sometimes title works after exact places (Kangaroo Valley, Burrinjuck Dam, etc.), but “M’Bridge” is a more generalized label. It suggests that Barron intended viewers to appreciate the overall natural setting – the interplay of water, sky, and land – instead of focusing on a famous site. Thus, the scene likely corresponds to a typical river vista in rural New South Wales that Barron experienced, rather than an officially recognized spot called “M’Bridge.” However, because the Murrumbidgee was a genuine inspiration, the painting can be seen as portraying a real environment (the Australian riverine landscape) rather than a purely invented one. In summary, The M’Bridge River most plausibly represents the Murrumbidgee River region in Australia, aligning with Howard Barron’s known inspirations. It captures the essence of that landscape – to the point that anyone familiar with Australian bush scenes might sense its authenticity – even if the title itself is an abbreviated or artistic moniker for the location. This scene, therefore, is best understood as Barron’s artistic interpretation of a specific natural setting he knew well, rather than a completely fictional composite.
Howard Barron’s biographical details and career highlights are documented by the National Portrait Gallery, Australia and other art references. Auction records and art databases note Barron’s paintings of the Murrumbidgee River (sometimes listed under abbreviated titles) . The Art Gallery of NSW archives also list works like Burrinjuck Dam among Barron’s exhibited pieces , confirming his focus on that region. These references collectively support the identification of “M’Bridge” with the Murrumbidgee landscape in Australia.
- Creator:Howard Barron (1900 - 1991, Australian, British, English)
- Creation Year:1970
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Painting in Good Condition. Vintage frame is commensurate with age.
- Gallery Location:Preston, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU817315878442
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