One summer again. Ep. 2

This is a most engaging three-part dramatised series on the lives and work of a group of Australian artists in Melbourne in the mid to late 1800s who were dedicated to not only creating a unique style of Australian painting, based on the revolutionary art form Impressionism, but also to fighting for recognition by an Australian society still clinging to traditional British values, particularly in the field of classic art. It is the story of the Heidelberg School of artists, written by Bill Garner and based on an original idea by Humphrey McQueen. Episode two provides a more intimate portrayal of the artists and introduces Sydney artist Charles Condor to Tom Roberts’ clique of Melbourne based painters. However Condor’s philosophy and style of symbolism and nature, and his penchant for the more exotic and bohemian way of life begin to clash with Roberts’ realistic and business approach to painting almost causing a split in the infant Australian movement. It is an old farmhouse at Eaglemont that brings Roberts, Streeton and Condor together to paint, to intellectualise and to leisure along with Jane Sutherland, Fred and Annie McCubbin, Clara Southern and others of the Melbourne fraternity of artists. It is also here that gives birth to the “9 by 5 Impression Exhibition” - a concept originating from Roberts to break through the conservativism of the middle and upper-class patrons of art and to establish his passion for a school of Australian painting. Roberts emphatically believed in realism and his search for the Australian identity and character begins to be realised in his work during this period. Jane Sutherland finds however that women are still being discriminated against, even within the Roberts group. The “9 by 5” was for the boys only and did not include any paintings by women. Features some wonderful images and historic buildings of Melbourne along with several works by the artists. Cast includes Chris Hallam (Tom Roberts), Michele Fawdon (Jane Sutherland), Phil Sumner (Fred McCubbin), Huw Williams (Arthur Streeton), Nina Landis (Clara Southern), Ian McFadyen (Theodore Fink), Robert Menzies (Charles Condor).