William Strutt
Eagle hawk
The painter and illustrator William Strutt trained at
École des Beaux Artes (1838-1844) and arrived in Australia in
1850. Specialising in portraits and history paintings, Strutt
recorded many historical events including the Black Thursday
Bushfires of 1851, and the departure of Burke and Wills from Royal
Park Melbourne in 1861, as well as scenes from life on the
Victorian goldfields during his eleven year sojourn in
Australia.
Like many of his works, Eagle hawk with its outstretched wings,
powerful talons and watchful eyes was completed from sketches after
his return to England where he was a frequent exhibitor at the
Royal Academy from 1865-1905.
Purchased by Ballarat Fine Art Gallery in 1888 the Eagle hawk or
whistling kite is found throughout Australia except for
Tasmania. This is in fact the first work with any
Australian content to have been purchased outright by the Gallery
Acquisitions committee.