Explore the Critical Reaction of this artwork.
The Golden Fleece was well received by newspapers and critics at the time of its exhibition, and in 1895 it was named “the picture of the year” by the Sydney Morning Herald.Modern art curators, critics and reporters maintain a positive attitude towards the painting. It is often referred to as “an icon of Australian art”. Writers still reflect upon the Impressionist elements and Roberts' ability to capture the atmosphere of the shearing shed. This is admired by Barry Pearce, the Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of NSW, who states."You get the sense that you can smell the wool, you can feel the light and the dust. You’re absolutely there watching it happen."Art researcher N. Lendon notes the artistic talent displayed by Roberts in The Golden Fleece by comparing the effect of his work to photography, he writes “Clearly the artist illustrator fulfilled a need for the imaginative, evocative, dramatic and even more romantic image which the photographer was unable to provide.”
The three sheep pictures show maleness and manual labour and celebrate the Australia that once 'rode on the sheep's back"
Australia shearing shed Sydney Golden Fleece