Arrival of the First Fleet (Study for the Overseas Terminal Mural)

ARTHUR MURCH (1902-1989)

Arrival of the First Fleet (Study for the Overseas Terminal Mural)

oil on wood panel
39.0 x 128.5 cm (irreg.)
signed lower right: MURCH

Provenance:
Sotheby's, Melbourne, 24 November 1998, lot 127
Private collection, Queensland

In 1961 the Maritime Services Board commissioned Arthur Murch to execute a mural for the Overseas Terminal Building to commemorate the landing of Captain Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove in 1788. This painting was his study for the final mural. The space for the mural was a difficult wedge shape so he decided to utilise a convention used by Renaissance decorators, of including more than one episode of the same subject. Consequently, the mural shows several narratives happening simultaneously, from the arrival of men, women and children with the First Fleet, to the planting of the flag by Phillip.

Estimate: $9000 - 12000

Result Hammer: $11500