Design and Art Australia Online

From the 1880s, when his first mature work was painted, until just before his death in 1917, Frederick McCubbin painted some of Australia’s most loved landscapes and narrative paintings. Because of his family circumstances he had less freedom than many of his fellow artists, and his subject matter remains distinctly Victorian, and strongly affected by the narrative style of his early teacher, George Folingsby.
Frederick McCubbin was born at 165 King Street, Melbourne, the third son of a Scottish baker, and his English wife. His mother encouraged him to draw, as did the pastor from the local church. On leaving school he was first employed by a local solicitor, but lost that job after he was caught constructing model theatres during office hours. He returned to helping in the family bakery, including driving the baker’s cart. From 1867 to 1870 he was an evening student at the Artisans School of Design at Carlton. Here he befriended fellow artists Louis Abrahams and Charles Douglas Richardson. He then enrolled as an evening student at the National Gallery School, where he continued as a student until 1885. From 1871 to 1875 he was apprenticed as a coach painter, but after completing his apprenticeship he had to concentrate on helping the family business.
One of the most important influences on McCubbin’s development as an artist came from the Irishman George Folingsby, who succeeded Eugene von Guérard as head of the National Gallery School in 1882. Earlier he had been influenced Julian Rossi Ashton who was based in Melbourne for some years before moving to Sydney.
McCubbin first exhibited at the Victorian Academy of Arts in 1876. In 1880 he was one of the group of students who signed a petition to the trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria, requesting bq). higher instructionbq). at the Gallery School.

Writers:

Date written:

2011

Last updated:

2011