Turning the Soil 1886

Tom Roberts made 'Turning the Soil' with oils on wood panel. The image depicts a solitary figure engaged in hard labor, set against a backdrop of the Australian bush. Roberts painted this image during a period of intense national self-definition in Australia, a time marked by debates about land ownership, labor rights, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. It is quite possible that this labourer is an immigrant or a member of the working class, turning the soil for agricultural development. The work seems to explore the dignity of labor, as well as the physical demands of transforming the landscape. It's a visual statement about the changing face of Australian society, the heroic pioneer spirit, and perhaps also the environmental impact of this progress. Understanding this painting requires us to investigate social histories to understand the visual codes embedded within it. What was the status of rural workers at the time? What role did art institutions play in shaping the national narrative? Answering these questions helps to consider how art both reflects and shapes the cultural values of its time.