With its impeccable renovation, sophisticated finishes and magnificent landscaped gardens, ‘Glencairn’ at 36 Streeton Crescent is a landmark Ivanhoe East home.
But beyond its obvious elegance and charm lie its ties to an historic piece of Melbourne art history.
Attracted by Eaglemont’s beautiful natural landscapes, one of Australia’s most treasured artists, Arthur Streeton, produced some of his most famous works while living in the area.
The land on which Glencairn now sits (the intersection of MacKennel Street and Streeton Crescent) has been identified as the vicinity in which Streeton painted his famous landscape, “Still glides the stream, and shall forever glide” in 1890. The title takes inspiration from William Wordsworth’s sonnet “After-Thought” from his River Duddon series.
This beautiful painting is one of many Streeton created as part of an artistic movement known as the Heidelberg School, which also included famous painters such as Frederick McCubbin and Tom Roberts. It captures the Yarra River meandering through the river flats below Eaglemont, and beyond to Mount Dandenong.
Drawing on naturalist and impressionist ideas, Streeton sought to capture Australian life, the bush, and the harsh sunlight that typifies the Australian countryside, using a high-keyed gold and blue palette, which he considered "nature's scheme of colour in Australia".
Today, Glencairn stands not only as a luxurious family home enjoying river valley views, but also as a testament to one of Australia’s most important artistic periods.
Who will write the next chapter in this beautiful home’s history?
