LONGACRES
15 RANGE ROAD OLINDA, YARRA RANGES SHIRE
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
Longacres constitutes a house and gallery, a painting studio, a caretakers residence and several outbuildings arranged in an informal garden on approximately 5 acres of land. Not all buildings were completed at the one time but they were built for the famed Australian artist (Sir) Arthur Streeton (1867-1943) in 1923-24. There is evidence to suggest that Harold Desbrowe Annear, a close friend of Streeton's was consulted in the design of the buildings on the property. The house (with an attached gallery constructed in 1939) is in an arts and crafts bungalow style. Much of the garden was created by Streeton, who was also a knowledgeable gardener, and he planted many North American species including oaks, lindens, tulip trees, conifers, rhododendrons, fruit trees and alpine plants in the rockery below the studio .
Arthur Ernest Streeton was born at Duneed near Geelong in 1867. By age 19 the largely self taught Streeton had met Tom Roberts and had joined his small painting group which included Frederick McCubbin and Louis Abrahams . Streeton painted at Box Hill and Heidelberg where the group of friends was also joined by Charles Conder. These artists whose paintings formed the basis of Australian impressionist art were to become the founders of what is now known as the Heidelberg School, the first such school of Australian painting. Streeton also painted in western New South Wales before moving to London in 1896. In 1908 he married violinist Esther Leonora Clench in London. In 1915 he enlisted in Royal Army Medical Corps and in 1918 he was appointed an official war artist and documented Australian troops at the Western Front until the cessation of hostilities.
In 1920 Streeton returned to Australia and a year later brought 5 acres at Olinda. From this time he continued to paint and exhibit in Australia and consolidated his position by his appointment as an art critic to the Argus newspaper. Streeton also wrote in the press on art, the environment and public affairs. He also wrote on the history of Australia painting as well as organising exhibitions and a catalogue of his own works. In 1937 Streeton was knighted. Following the death of Nora in 1938 Streeton moved permanently to Olinda where he devoted much time to his garden until his death in 1943. Sir Arthur Streeton is recognised as one of the great landscape painters of Australian art and his work is represented in many Australian galleries.
How is it significant?
Longacres is of historical importance to the state of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
As a collection Longacres is of historical significance as a rare and intact standing group of buildings associated with a prominent Australian artist. The buildings and the layout of the grounds are much as they were in Streeton's time with recent repairs being undertaken by Arthur's grandson Roger Streeton. The garden was developed by Streeton with plantings of Tilia x europaea, a rare Tilia americana, (Linden) and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir) plantation for Nora's benefit. These along with a row of Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) at the entrance and an avenue of Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak) along the driveway have reached maturity and are of landscape importance. Longacres was a place that saw many artist, musicians and academics visit as well as act as the base for the two lifelong friends Tom Roberts and Streeton. The complex is of importance at the State level for its direct association with one of Australia's great landscape painters who was instrumental in defining the Australian landscape for Australian and English audiences. Streeton's work continues to be highly sought after by Australian galleries and private collectors.
-
-
-
-
-
Longacres
National Trust H1876 -
Main Ridge, Dandenong Ranges
National Trust
-
Liriodendron tulipifera
National Trust
-
-
-
10 Down Street
Yarra City
-
-
