The Artist's Camp 1886

Tom Roberts made this painting, called *The Artist's Camp*, in Australia, likely in the late 19th century. It depicts two men in the bush, one seated and eating, the other tending to what appears to be painting equipment. At the time, Australia was defining itself as a nation, and artists played a key role in shaping its cultural identity. Roberts and his circle, sometimes called the Heidelberg School, aimed to capture a specifically Australian experience, moving away from European traditions. This work, with its focus on the bush, speaks to the myth of the "bushman" – an idealized, rugged individual who embodies Australian values. We might ask ourselves if the artist is celebrating or critiquing this image, and how the contemporary art institutions in Australia were involved in encouraging certain narratives. By consulting historical documents – letters, exhibition catalogs, and period reviews – we can better understand the complex dialogue between art and society in Australia at this time.