Summary
Born in Ballarat, Robert Eagar Taylor-Ghee (1869–1951) attended the National Gallery Art School in Melbourne during 1889–92, training under Frederick McCubbin, among others. Taylor-Ghee subsequently became a follower of the Heidelberg School of impressionism, executing his often-restrained works almost solely in oils.
This small painting hides its titular subject behind the arboreal profusion, with only the lower profile of the bridge's arches visible beneath the foliage. It is painted from the southern bank of the Yarra, to the east of the bridge, and shows the north-western tower of Flinders Street station rising above the tree canopy to provide a second focal point. The painting makes for an interesting contrast to Noel Counihan's 'Study for a Changing City', painted from a similar position 45 years later and which can be viewed on this website. Executed around 1930, Robert Eagar Taylor-Ghee's 'Princes Bridge' was acquired for the collection in 1995.
