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‘Plenty’
COLLECTION FOCUS
Jun 2023 - Jan 2024

Over the centuries, artists have used their skills to pause the flow of time in detailed paintings of flowers and fruit, and studies of 'mother and child'. The resulting celebrations of abundance and nurture testify to our deep reliance on the natural world, and each other, to sustain our own lives.

Displayed across adjacent galleries within the International Art Collection, ‘Plenty’ not only draws on the beauty of such images but also looks beyond this to examine how these two groups of paintings might contribute to a truth-telling about the impact of European settlement on First Nations peoples in Australia.

‘Plenty’ was on display within in Galleries 7 and 9, Philip Bacon Galleries, QAG, until 28 January 2024. This resource includes artworks displayed in rotations one and two.

 


Cultural sensitivity warning
QAGOMA would like to respectfully advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers that this resource contains images and references to the deceased, references to massacres and mentions of derogatory language. 

Feature image: Harriet Jane Neville-Rolfe / England/Australia QLD 1850–1928 / Sedgeford outstation on the Alpha run 1884 / Watercolour over pencil on wove paper / Gift of the artist's son in her memory 1964 / Collection: QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in ‘Plenty’

Artwork An archery match this artwork made of Oil on oak panel, created in 1850-01-01

An archery match mid-late 19th century
Artwork Still life (fruit and oyster) this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1650-01-01

Still life (fruit and oyster) c.1650s
Artwork Holy Family with the infant Baptist this artwork made of Oil on panel, created in 1617-01-01

Holy Family with the infant Baptist c.1617-37
Artwork Doux pays (Pleasant land) this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1880-01-01

Doux pays (Pleasant land) c.1880-82
Artwork Breakfast, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Breakfast, Alpha 1884
Artwork Sedgeford outstation on the Alpha run this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Sedgeford outstation on the Alpha run 1884
Artwork Young colts let loose, some hobbled, after their first day's training this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Young colts let loose, some hobbled, after their first day's training 1884
Artwork Tina Loot this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Tina Loot c.1883
Artwork Castle Rocks this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Castle Rocks c.1884
Artwork Sinking a well at Alpha in the dried up creek this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Sinking a well at Alpha in the dried up creek 1884
Artwork Queensland pheasant and turkey in the compound this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Queensland pheasant and turkey in the compound 1884
Artwork The colt roped this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

The colt roped 1884
Artwork Head Station, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Head Station, Alpha 1884
Artwork Lanark Outstation this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Lanark Outstation 1884
Artwork Two parrots (unfinished) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Two parrots (unfinished) c.1883-84
Artwork Bee eaters, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Bee eaters, Alpha 1884
Artwork Native hornet, native apple tree and native limes this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Native hornet, native apple tree and native limes 1883
Artwork Gum tree in flower this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Gum tree in flower 1884
Artwork Diamond series II this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Diamond series II 2015
Artwork Luke and iguana this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Luke and iguana 1883
Artwork Early morning, the stockyard contractor's camp, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Early morning, the stockyard contractor's camp, Alpha 1884
Artwork Ginger lillies this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Ginger lillies 1884
Artwork Brumby Jack's camp, Rainmore this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Brumby Jack's camp, Rainmore 1884
Artwork (Thunbergia) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

(Thunbergia) 1884
Artwork Wolfang this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Wolfang 1884
Artwork Alpha stockyard, the Coacher, the Colt and Carl this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Alpha stockyard, the Coacher, the Colt and Carl 1884
Artwork The Castlevale this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

The Castlevale 1884
Artwork Verandah, outstation to Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Verandah, outstation to Alpha 1884
Artwork Mantis this artwork made of Woodcut, hand-coloured on Oriental paper, created in 1962-01-01

Mantis 1962
Artwork Native flowers this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Native flowers 1884
Artwork Madonna and Child encircled by roses this artwork made of Oil on oak panel, created in 1650-01-01

Madonna and Child encircled by roses c.1650s
Artwork Still life this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1650-01-01

Still life c.1650s
Artwork The haven of refuge this artwork made of Oil on oak panel, created in 1630-01-01

The haven of refuge c.1635
Artwork Castlevale this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Castlevale 1884
Artwork Alpha Creek at Rainmore, the eve of our first night's camping in the bush this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Alpha Creek at Rainmore, the eve of our first night's camping in the bush 1884
Artwork Carriers waiting for beef this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Carriers waiting for beef 1883
Artwork A gin on Alpha run (unfinished) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

A gin on Alpha run (unfinished) c.1883
Artwork The Castle Rocks this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

The Castle Rocks 1884
Artwork Our camp, Rainmore this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Our camp, Rainmore 1884
Artwork A bit of the lagoon near the house, Lanark this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

A bit of the lagoon near the house, Lanark 1884
Artwork Frankfield, Lanark this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Frankfield, Lanark 1884
Artwork Huntly this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Huntly c.1884
Artwork Mailman riding away from Frankfield this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Mailman riding away from Frankfield c.1884
Artwork Clive and Mrs Mackintosh this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Clive and Mrs Mackintosh 1884
Artwork Shingle-back lizard and native fuschia this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Shingle-back lizard and native fuschia 1884
Artwork Kind of orchid, a great many varieties this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Kind of orchid, a great many varieties 1884
Artwork Trisanotus clianthus, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Trisanotus clianthus, Alpha 1883
Artwork Native pomegranate and wild jasmin this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Native pomegranate and wild jasmin 1883
Artwork Diamond series III this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Diamond series III 2015
Artwork Starting out kangaroo hunting this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Starting out kangaroo hunting 1884
Artwork Chinaman's garden, Frankfield this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1884-01-01

Chinaman's garden, Frankfield 1884
Artwork Mistake Creek this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Mistake Creek 1884
Artwork Wolfang this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Wolfang 1884
Artwork Wild flowers and grasshoppers this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Wild flowers and grasshoppers 1884
Artwork (Gecko) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

(Gecko) c.1884
Artwork Castle Vale this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1885-01-01

Castle Vale 1885
Artwork Harry the mail man this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Harry the mail man 1884
Artwork Entrance of the Franqueville Paddock, Lanark this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Entrance of the Franqueville Paddock, Lanark 1884
Artwork Centipede this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Centipede 1884
Artwork (Native pomegranates, blue cornflowers and bush cockroach) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

(Native pomegranates, blue cornflowers and bush cockroach) 1883
Artwork Madonna and Child encircled by flowers and fruit this artwork made of Oil on oak panel, created in 1610-01-01

Madonna and Child encircled by flowers and fruit c.1615
Artwork Still life this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1645-01-01

Still life c.1650
Artwork Christ calling the disciple Peter this artwork made of Oil on oak panel, created in 1641-01-01

Christ calling the disciple Peter 1641
Artwork Aboriginal girl (unfinished) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Aboriginal girl (unfinished) c.1884
Artwork The compound, Alpha, from Kunie's bedroom verandah this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

The compound, Alpha, from Kunie's bedroom verandah 1884
Artwork Houses of Parliament, Brisbane this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1885-01-01

Houses of Parliament, Brisbane 1885
Artwork Gins from the verandah of the quarters, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Gins from the verandah of the quarters, Alpha 1884
Artwork Opening of the steam engine for sawing wood for the new kitchen, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Opening of the steam engine for sawing wood for the new kitchen, Alpha 1884
Artwork Dam at the water hole this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Dam at the water hole 1884
Artwork Pheasant and lantern this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Pheasant and lantern 1883
Artwork Mt Rolfe, Lanark this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Mt Rolfe, Lanark 1884
Artwork Kilcummin this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Kilcummin 1884
Artwork The 13 mile hut and camp this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

The 13 mile hut and camp 1884
Artwork Grasshopper and shield bug this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Grasshopper and shield bug c.1883-85
Artwork Crimson winged parrot, cockbird this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Crimson winged parrot, cockbird 1884
Artwork Native rose, King George's Sound, last sight of Australia this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1885-01-01

Native rose, King George's Sound, last sight of Australia 1885
Artwork Variegated mantis this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Variegated mantis 1883
Artwork Resistance this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Resistance 2015
Artwork Frankfield this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Frankfield c.1884
Artwork Bringing in logs for the new kitchen this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Bringing in logs for the new kitchen 1884
Artwork Gold diggings near Clermont this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Gold diggings near Clermont 1884
Artwork The twelve mile coach stage, Alpha run this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

The twelve mile coach stage, Alpha run 1884
Artwork Native cherry bushes, Lanark this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Native cherry bushes, Lanark 1884
Artwork The gem lizard, life size this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

The gem lizard, life size 1884
Artwork Pale yellow climber this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Pale yellow climber c.1884
Artwork Carl breaking in Madge in the spring cart (unfinished) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Carl breaking in Madge in the spring cart (unfinished) 1884
Artwork Saw-pit, Lanark this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Saw-pit, Lanark 1884
Artwork Mil and W. Dennis, Lanark this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Mil and W. Dennis, Lanark 1884
Artwork Kitchen door, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Kitchen door, Alpha 1883
Artwork Mutton birds (sic), a corner of vine this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Mutton birds (sic), a corner of vine 1884

Related digital stories

An installation view in a dark room with gallery walls painted black; an empty gold frame on the wall, in the centre of the photo, frames the darkness; beneath it, a rifle is displayed in a glass cabinet.

ESSAY: ‘Plenty’

Read digital story

DIDACTIC: Harriet Jane Neville-Rolfe

Read story

ESSAY: The Bequest of Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior

Read story