One of Australia’s most significant artists, Lloyd Rees was highly admired by those who knew him.

 A master across various artistic disciplines, his work evolved over time, mirroring shifts in his style as his career progressed. As his eyesight began to decline ... , his later works became increasingly spiritual in nature. For many, these later paintings represent his artistic pinnacle, capturing the essence of subjects rather than their literal form.

This drawing, titled “River Landscape”, was completed in 1966 and reflects the influence of Rees’s European travels on his technique. The introduction of washes and charcoals gave his work a softer, more fluid quality. Despite the shift in approach, his powers of observation remained sharp, though he no longer prioritized intricate detail.

In 1988, the Australian Bicentennial Authority recognized his contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape by naming him one of the two hundred people who made Australia great.