Friday lates: Art in Colonial Australia, painting natural history
Explore the period of intense artistic activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800). We will see how both convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting...
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The main focus of the course will be on works associated with the Art of the First Fleet, produced between 1788 to 1800. It will provide a broad discussion that concerns natural history, particularly, bird painting in the history of Australian art from the earliest period of European contact to today.
It looks specially at a period of intense artistic and ornithological activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800), years in which convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement. The illustrations of birds are particularly striking. The artists who produced these works, George Raper, Thomas Watling, the so-called Sydney Bird Painter, and many other anonymous artists, have received little critical attention from art historians. This course presents, in a modest way, a step towards redressing this omission.
What will we cover?
• The art of the First Fleet • The genre of bird painting • The relationship between art and ornithology.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Consider the iconographic importance of birds in Australian art • Discuss the social, cultural, and scientific role of the artist in early Colonial Australia • Identify some native Australian birds.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, and operate basic elements of Zoom like chat, microphone and camera.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
For more short courses and art history tasters, search 'Friday Lates' or 'Tuesday Talks'.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/friday-lates-art-in-colonial-australia-painting-natural-history2491897Friday lates: Art in Colonial Australia, painting natural historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-art-in-colonial-australia-painting-natural-history-1080.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory22851136117718831228511771136Explore the period of intense artistic activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800). We will see how both convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement.002621103Friday lates: Art in Colonial Australia, painting natural history1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-art-in-colonial-australia-painting-natural-history-1080_1.jpgInStockEveningFriOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-03-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMar 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB1171919Friday lates: Art in Colonial Australia, painting natural history191219Ben Pollittfriday-lates-art-in-colonial-australia-painting-natural-history/vb117-2526Explore the period of intense artistic activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800). We will see how both convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement.0000-Available|2026-03-13 00:00:00The main focus of the course will be on works associated with the Art of the First Fleet, produced between 1788 to 1800. It will provide a broad discussion that concerns natural history, particularly, bird painting in the history of Australian art from the earliest period of European contact to today. <br/><br/>It looks specially at a period of intense artistic and ornithological activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800), years in which convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement. The illustrations of birds are particularly striking. The artists who produced these works, George Raper, Thomas Watling, the so-called Sydney Bird Painter, and many other anonymous artists, have received little critical attention from art historians. This course presents, in a modest way, a step towards redressing this omission.Explore the period of intense artistic activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800). We will see how both convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement.• The art of the First Fleet<br/>• The genre of bird painting<br/>• The relationship between art and ornithology.• Consider the iconographic importance of birds in Australian art<br/>• Discuss the social, cultural, and scientific role of the artist in early Colonial Australia<br/>• Identify some native Australian birds.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, and operate basic elements of Zoom like chat, microphone and camera.You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.For more short courses and art history tasters, search 'Friday Lates' or 'Tuesday Talks'.Art historyArt, ideas & theoryvirtual191912VB117NONEFri13/03/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:001 session1One-off onlyEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineBen PollittBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-03-13T00:00:00+00:00Mar 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Friday lates: Art in Colonial Australia, painting natural historyfriday-lates-art-in-colonial-australia-painting-natural-history/vb117-2526Explore the period of intense artistic activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800). We will see how both convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement.0000-Available|2026-03-13 00:00:00The main focus of the course will be on works associated with the Art of the First Fleet, produced between 1788 to 1800. It will provide a broad discussion that concerns natural history, particularly, bird painting in the history of Australian art from the earliest period of European contact to today. <br/><br/>It looks specially at a period of intense artistic and ornithological activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800), years in which convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement. The illustrations of birds are particularly striking. The artists who produced these works, George Raper, Thomas Watling, the so-called Sydney Bird Painter, and many other anonymous artists, have received little critical attention from art historians. This course presents, in a modest way, a step towards redressing this omission.Explore the period of intense artistic activity in the early years of Colonial Australia (c. 1788–1800). We will see how both convicts and military personnel produced hundreds of images depicting the remarkable natural history that they found in the settlement.• The art of the First Fleet<br/>• The genre of bird painting<br/>• The relationship between art and ornithology.• Consider the iconographic importance of birds in Australian art<br/>• Discuss the social, cultural, and scientific role of the artist in early Colonial Australia<br/>• Identify some native Australian birds.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, and operate basic elements of Zoom like chat, microphone and camera.You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.For more short courses and art history tasters, search 'Friday Lates' or 'Tuesday Talks'.Art historyArt, ideas & theoryconfigurable
18831136Art, ideas & theoryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/art-ideas-theory1/2/285/1177/1136/18831/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory
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