This classic oil by Hugh Sawrey, “Stockman by a Billabong” is painted in a palette of rich earthy browns & depicts sheep drinking from a billabong under the shade of magnificent gums. The painting evokes a romantic sense of life in the bush. The placement of the beautiful gum trees in the composition is reminiscent of the work of the great landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen, who immortalised the stately beauty of gum trees in his paintings, whereby they became part of Australia’s national iconography. Much of what Hugh Sawrey painted were recollections of his direct experience of living & working on the land. Sawrey’s much loved paintings have also become important symbols of Australian culture and folklore, and his art remains ever-popular with collectors.
