Collins Street 1915

Frederick McCubbin made this painting of Collins Street with oil on canvas. Look at how the brushstrokes are laid down, short dashes of color all jostling for space. It's like he's trying to capture not just what he sees, but also the feeling of being there, the hustle and bustle. The surface of the painting is alive with texture. You can almost feel the roughness of the canvas beneath the paint. There's a lot going on, but your eye keeps getting drawn back to the buildings on the right. Notice how McCubbin uses layers of yellows and oranges to create a sense of depth and light. It's as if the buildings are glowing from within. It all reminds me of the painting of Camille Pissarro! Ultimately, this painting isn't just about a street scene. It's about the act of seeing, of experiencing the world through color and light. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation, an ongoing dialogue between artists across time.