Why 9x5? Back in 1889, the original Nine by Five Exhibition was a turning point in Australian art history.
Young radicals Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Fred McCubbin and fellow artists shocked the stuffy Melbourne art world with the first exhibition of Impressionist art in Australia.
Avant garde European painters such as Claude Monet and James McNeill Whistler had taken to painting landscapes outdoors – en plein air – thanks to the arrival of paint in tubes and railways to bear eager artists into the countryside. With sketchy brushstrokes and vivid colours they captured naturalistic ‘impressions’ of light and atmosphere.
Not to be outdone, Australian Impressionists filled their statement show with affordable small-sized works that were nine inches by five inches (about 23cm x 13cm) - which happened to be the dimensions of the cigar box lids supplied by fellow artist Louis Abrahams, whose family owned a cigar importing business.
The art establishment was rocked to the core. But despite critics’ outrage, buyers snapped up these lyrical paintings and the young artists never looked back.
Only a few years later Roberts and Streeton were living and painting at Little Sirius Cove. Naturally Mosman Art Society was among the first of many art societies nationwide to organise regular 9x5 shows in honour of these pioneers.
Our membership embraces professional and amateur artists, traditional and contemporary, and anyone who loves and appreciates art. Previous 9x5 exhibitions at the Julian Ashton Art School, Headland Park (thanks to our Patron Paul Delprat), have been hugely popular with members and visitors.
Going online adds another string to our bow. Recent restrictions have encouraged art lovers to feel comfortable viewing and buying via the internet.
And that traditional nine by five has inched up to include nine by seven. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to acquire a little gem or two.
To return to the Art Exhibition Click Here
Young radicals Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Fred McCubbin and fellow artists shocked the stuffy Melbourne art world with the first exhibition of Impressionist art in Australia.
Avant garde European painters such as Claude Monet and James McNeill Whistler had taken to painting landscapes outdoors – en plein air – thanks to the arrival of paint in tubes and railways to bear eager artists into the countryside. With sketchy brushstrokes and vivid colours they captured naturalistic ‘impressions’ of light and atmosphere.
Not to be outdone, Australian Impressionists filled their statement show with affordable small-sized works that were nine inches by five inches (about 23cm x 13cm) - which happened to be the dimensions of the cigar box lids supplied by fellow artist Louis Abrahams, whose family owned a cigar importing business.
The art establishment was rocked to the core. But despite critics’ outrage, buyers snapped up these lyrical paintings and the young artists never looked back.
Only a few years later Roberts and Streeton were living and painting at Little Sirius Cove. Naturally Mosman Art Society was among the first of many art societies nationwide to organise regular 9x5 shows in honour of these pioneers.
Our membership embraces professional and amateur artists, traditional and contemporary, and anyone who loves and appreciates art. Previous 9x5 exhibitions at the Julian Ashton Art School, Headland Park (thanks to our Patron Paul Delprat), have been hugely popular with members and visitors.
Going online adds another string to our bow. Recent restrictions have encouraged art lovers to feel comfortable viewing and buying via the internet.
And that traditional nine by five has inched up to include nine by seven. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to acquire a little gem or two.
To return to the Art Exhibition Click Here