The Balnaves Gift

In 2010 Mosman resident Neil Balnaves AO donated the largest gift of paintings Mosman Art Gallery has ever received. Featuring the work of sixteen Australian Impressionist and early twentieth century painters, and more recent artworks; all are significant to Mosman.

In this fresh new hang, The Balnaves Gift sits in conversation with Foreshore, the exhibition in the level 1 and 2 Galleries, which explores elements of Mosman’s history. The works here are hung chronologically and show developments in painting during this time, but also the changing landscape of Mosman.

The earliest work is View from Craigend (1840) by Conrad Martens. Mosman, and indeed Sydney, is undeveloped and the painting is dominated by Sydney’s original landscape.

James R Jackson’s Middle Harbour (1968) is painted 128 years later, and the landscape is now dotted with houses. Margaret Preston’s works from a century ago show the now-demolished bridge at Mosman Bay.

John William Ashton’s House Boats The Spit, Sydney Harbour, show the houseboats that were home to a whole community during The Great Depression and in the years that followed.

Neil Balnaves has said “I’ve always been a firm believer that everyone should have the rights to access the arts, regardless of their background”. This belief, and Neil’s commitment to giving back to the community has made this important collection of paintings available to the people of Mosman, and the whole community.