the collector's folio

Thomas William Roberts Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Thomas William Roberts our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Thomas William Roberts · 1856 – 1931

Louise, Daughter of the Hon. L. I. Smith

1888 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

This 1888 oil portrait by Thomas William Roberts captures a serene young girl reading. Shop high-quality handmade reproductions today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

A Mountain Muster

1897 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Discover "A Mountain Muster" by Thomas William Roberts! This stunning 1897 oil painting captures rural Australian life in an impressionistic style. Explore this beautiful landscape at the NGV.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18134 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Plink-a-Plong

1893 · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Experience the warm colors and delicate portraiture of Thomas William Roberts' 1893 masterpiece, Plink-a-Plong; bring this Australian art beauty home today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

A Sunday Afternoon Picnic at Box Hill

1887 · National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

This Tonalist oil painting by Thomas William Roberts captures a serene picnic in nature. Discover this timeless masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Mrs. L. A. Abrahams

1888 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne · original 41 x 36 cm

Experience the intimate portraiture of Thomas William Roberts' 1888 masterpiece, capturing a quiet moment in Victorian life; discover this timeless Australian art today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19636 × 41 cm Commission at original size

Winter Morning after Rain, Gardiner's Creek

1885 · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide · original 46 x 66 cm

Experience the serene rural life of Thomas William Roberts' 1885 masterpiece, Winter Morning after Rain, capturing a tranquil Australian scene you can bring home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$24366 × 46 cm Commission at original size

Evening, when the quiet east flushes faintly at the sun's lasts look

1887 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Experience the serene glow of this 1887 Australian landscape by Thomas William Roberts, capturing an idyllic sunset over a peaceful field; discover your piece of art history today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18139 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Eileen

1892 · original 49 x 36 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20536 × 49 cm Commission at original size

Professor Marshall-Hall

1892 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

A serene scene of a woman mending nets in a boat captures the peaceful essence of Thomas William Roberts' 1886 masterpiece, inviting you to bring this tranquil moment of connection with nature into your home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18136 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

The Sunny South

1887 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18145 × 22 cm Commission this artwork

Sir Henry Parkes

1892 · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide · original 66 x 56 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26356 × 66 cm Commission at original size

A Moorish Doorway

1883 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Admire 'A Moorish Doorway' by Thomas Roberts! This 1883 Impressionist masterpiece showcases a sun-drenched arch, lush greenery & weathered stone. A timeless piece of British art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Lily Sterling

1890 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Edward Ogilvie

1895

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Woman at the Piano

1889 · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18122 × 45 cm Commission this artwork

Miss Isobel McDonald

1895 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Reconciliation

1886 · original 127 x 75 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18124 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$44075 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Coming South

1886 · National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Elizabeh and Carmen Pinschof

1900

Explore 'Elizabeh & Carmen Pinschof' by Thomas William Roberts – a romantic 1900 oil painting of two women in a dimly lit setting. Discover Victorian art, detailed brushwork & evocative atmosphere.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Turning the Soil (also known as Sketch for Charcoal Burners)

1886 · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18123 × 44 cm Commission this artwork

Sketch for the Opening of the First Parliament

1901

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18139 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Hillside

1927 · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18134 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Sunrise

1929 · Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18149 × 20 cm Commission this artwork

Mosman's Bay

1894

Explore 'Mosman’s Bay' by Thomas William Roberts (1894), a serene Impressionistic landscape capturing rural England’s beauty. Discover soft light, textured brushwork & peaceful scenes.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 99 artworks by Thomas William Roberts
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$23141 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Thomas William Roberts

1856 – 1931

Quick facts

Top-ranked workLouise, Daughter of the Hon. L. I. Smith
Museums on APSNational Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of South Australia, Art Gallery of Ballarat
Room fitlounge
Top 3 worksLouise, Daughter of the Hon. L. I. Smith, A Mountain Muster, Plink-a-Plong
Also known asTom Roberts, Bulldog (Nickname)
Mediumsoil on canvas
Died1931
Born1856, Dorchester, United Kingdom

Biography

Early Life and Formation in Two Worlds

Thomas William Roberts, born on March 9th, 1856, in the quiet Dorset town of Dorchester, England, embarked on a journey that would see him become a pivotal figure in Australian art. His early life was marked by a sense of transience; his father, Richard Roberts, a printer and journalist, moved the family frequently seeking work. This instability culminated in the death of Richard when Tom was just thirteen, forcing his mother, Matilda Agnes Cela Evans, to make the courageous decision to emigrate with her children to Melbourne, Australia, in 1869. Though initially struggling financially, Matilda’s determination ensured young Tom received some education at Dorchester Grammar School before their departure—a foundation that would later inform his artistic vision. The move to Australia was not merely a change of location but a shift into a world brimming with new light, colors, and landscapes that would profoundly shape the artist he became. He initially took on work as a photographer’s assistant, an experience which honed his observational skills and understanding of composition—skills that would prove invaluable in his later paintings.

Embracing Impressionism and Defining a National Identity

Roberts' formal artistic training began at the Collingwood and Carlton artisans' schools of design, followed by studies at the National Gallery School under Thomas Clark. However, it was his time at the Royal Academy in London (1881-1884) that truly exposed him to the burgeoning Impressionist movement sweeping Europe. Returning to Melbourne in 1885, Roberts became a driving force behind what would become known as the Heidelberg School—often referred to as Australian Impressionism. He wasn’t simply importing European styles; he was determined to forge an artistic language uniquely suited to the Australian experience. Alongside fellow artists Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Streeton, and Charles Conder, Roberts established artist camps in places like Box Hill, fostering a collaborative environment where they could paint *en plein air*, directly from nature. This dedication to capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere on the distinctly Australian bushland was revolutionary. The 1889 “9 by 5 Impression Exhibition,” featuring small works painted on cigar box lids, was a bold statement—a rejection of academic conventions and an embrace of immediacy and national subject matter.

Landscapes of Labor and Life

Roberts’ most celebrated paintings are those that capture the essence of Australian life in the late 19th century. Works like Shearing the Rams (1890) and A Break Away! (1891) aren't merely depictions of rural scenes; they’re powerful narratives celebrating the dignity of labor, the vastness of the outback, and a growing sense of national identity. Shearing the Rams, in particular, is considered an iconic image of Australian pastoral life—a dynamic composition filled with energy and movement, depicting shearers at work on a sprawling sheep station. His use of light and color wasn’t simply aesthetic; it was employed to convey the harshness and beauty of the landscape, and the resilience of those who worked within it. Beyond these grand narratives, Roberts also excelled in portraiture, capturing the character and spirit of his subjects with sensitivity and skill. Miss Florence Greaves (1898) exemplifies his ability to create intimate and evocative portraits that reveal a deep understanding of human psychology.

A Legacy Forged in Paint and Advocacy

Roberts’ influence extended far beyond his own canvases. He was a tireless advocate for the establishment of a national art culture in Australia, pushing for the creation of institutions dedicated to supporting local artists. In 1903, he completed The Big Picture, a monumental work commissioned to depict the opening of the first Australian Parliament—a project that cemented his position as a leading figure in shaping Australia’s visual identity. This ambitious undertaking was not without its challenges, but it stands as a testament to Roberts' commitment to documenting and celebrating the nation’s history. He encouraged other artists to embrace uniquely Australian themes and styles, fostering a generation of painters who would continue to build upon his legacy. Though he faced periods of financial hardship and critical debate throughout his career, Tom Roberts remained steadfast in his vision—a vision that ultimately transformed the landscape of Australian art, leaving an enduring mark on the nation’s cultural consciousness. He died in 1931, but his paintings continue to resonate with audiences today, offering a powerful glimpse into the heart and soul of Australia.

Questions & Answers

What colors did Thomas William Roberts use most often?

The Palette Genome of Thomas William Roberts is a page that presents the color profile of the artist's body of work.

How did Thomas William Roberts's art evolve over time?

The Chronicle of Thomas William Roberts is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.

What other names is Thomas William Roberts known by?

Thomas William Roberts appears under the alternate names Tom Roberts, Bulldog (Nickname).

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 1, 2026

Collector's quiz

Where was Thomas William Roberts born?
Roberts is considered a key member of which art movement?
What was the name of the influential exhibition Roberts helped organize in 1889?
Which subject matter did Roberts and the Heidelberg School frequently depict?
What nickname was Roberts known by due to his tenacity?

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