Step back in time to Brisbane’s pioneering days

This watercolour (illustrated) is a preparatory sketch for the oil painting Slab cottage, Bowen Hills 1894 (illustrated). Isaac Walter Jenner (1836-1902) was interested in the picturesque subject rather than Brisbane’s impressive commercial and public buildings that were already embellishing Queen Street, the main thoroughfare of the city of Brisbane (illustrated).

‘Sketch for ‘Slab cottage, Bowen Hills‘ 1894

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Queen Street c.1894

Treasury Building, Queen Street c.1890

Treasury Building, Queen Street was erected in three stages between 1886 and 1928. Stage two which completed the Elizabeth Street section was commenced almost immediately and was completed by February 1893 c.1890 / Image courtesy: Queensland State Archives

The site of the slab hut is now that of the Royal Brisbane Hospital — we know this as Jenner kept location and composition notes — but even at the time of the painting’s execution, this rough timber dwelling would have been regarded as a passing record of Brisbane’s pioneering days. The composition of the derelict cottage would have even then contrasted starkly with the newly constructed homes and hospital in the growing suburb named after Governor Bowen (illustrated).

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DIGITAL STORY: ‘Isaac Walter Jenner: A Feeling For Light’

Bowen Hills photographed from the site of the Royal Brisbane Hospital 1891

Bowen Hills photographed from the site of the Royal Brisbane Hospital (est. 1867) c. 1891 / 99183736211202061 / Image courtesy: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, Brisbane

Exhibition Building at Bowen Hills 1900

Exhibition Building c.1900 at Bowen Hills was built in 1891 / 182289 / Image courtesy: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, Brisbane

The cottage in disrepair speaks of Brisbane’s earlier years, with a shingled roof and axe-split fence. Shadows cast from the fence suggest it was composed either early morning or late afternoon, with sunsets or sunrises being a recurring theme throughout Jenner’s oeuvre. Jenner’s preparatory watercolour is in contrast to this oil composition which is more stylised, with an added rain tank at the side. In the finished work, the horizon of the sky and underbelly of the clouds are accentuated by pink hues, adding weight to the time of day.

‘Slab cottage, Bowen Hills‘ 1894

Curatorial extracts, research and supplementary material compiled by Elliott Murray, Senior Digital Marketing Officer, QAGOMA

‘Sketch for Slab cottage, Bowen Hills’ and’Slab cottage, Bowen Hills’are on display in the exhibition ‘Isaac Walter Jenner: A Feeling for Light’ at the Queensland Art Gallery (G14) from 2 September 2023 – 28 January 2024.

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