Bushfires are immensely destructive, but can frequently lead to new life. This piece by William Strutt captures the devastation that bushfires can cause.
"Black Thursday" (1864) by William Strutt —
Bushfires are immensely destructive, but can frequently lead to new life. This piece by William Strutt captures the devastation that bushfires can cause.
State Library of Victoria
The fast-moving disasters are quick to destroy lives, property and landscape.
"Bushfire" (2013) by Gina Blakemore —
The fast-moving disasters are quick to destroy lives, property and landscape.
courtesy gina blakemore
They can destroy entire forests within minutes
"Bushfire III" (2013) by Gina Blakemore —
They can destroy entire forests within minutes
courtesy gina blakemore
The raging fires have inspired artists for years.
"Spirit of the bush fire" (1900) by Sydney Long —
The raging fires have inspired artists for years.
Art Gallery of Ballarat, Purchased, 1977
They take inspiration from the color and massive scale of these fires.
"Bushfire" (1859) by Eugene von Guerard —
They take inspiration from the color and massive scale of these fires.
Art Gallery of Ballarat, Gift of Lady Currie in memory of her husband, late Sir Alan Currie, 1948
Climate change has had a lasting impact on the effects of bushfires, becoming increasingly severe.
"Bushfire" (Circa 1900) by Gladstone Eyre —
Climate change has had a lasting impact on the effects of bushfires, becoming increasingly severe.
Art Gallery of Ballarat, Purchased with funds from the LJ Wilson Bequest, 1998
However, not all bushfire artwork is perceived as a bleak image of ruins.
"An Australian bush fire near Ermington" (Circa 1840) by Frederick Garling —
However, not all bushfire artwork is perceived as a bleak image of ruins.
Art Gallery of Ballarat, Purchased, 1958
Some artists choose to focus on the aftermath of these fires.
"We are making a new world" (circa 1918) by Paul Nash —
Some artists choose to focus on the aftermath of these fires.
Paul Nash/IWM via Getty Images
This image shows the ghostly outline of the land's remains, while hinting at the new life that will soon grow once again.
"The South Wind" (1924) by Tom Roberts —
This image shows the ghostly outline of the land's remains, while hinting at the new life that will soon grow once again.
Tom Roberts
Some are able to see promises of a new future beyond devastation.
"Bushfire, Mordialloc Creek" (Circa 1943) by Marjorie Woolcock —
Some are able to see promises of a new future beyond devastation.
Art Gallery of Ballarat, Gift of the artist, 1985