ARTWORK HISTORY & PERSONAL RAMBLINGS:
Another of our Australian oil paintings that has been with us for quite some time, many years ago (late 1970's) we visited Sofala to 'try our luck' at gold panning. Seemed easier than opal digging to make some money - it wasn't!
Never heard of Sofala!
Sofala is nestled in the Turon River Valley and yes, the river depicted by Rosa is the Turon.
'Them's gold in that thar river!' cried the fortune hunters. The mighty gold rush days gave birth to Sofala back in 1851. Back when we visited the town (late 1970's) it was a ghost of its former glory having only a few hundred residents. Back in the 1850's the population was over 10,000 with over 40 hotels to keep the 'gold hunters' well watered! We haven't been back since the late 1970's but suspect it is still a VERY quiet town but with plenty of history to tell visitors (it's only about 3 hours from Sydney)
Sometime after our visit, by luck we had the opportunity to buy this painting which suited us nicely, we are very much interested in landscapes so a painting of the small (actually VERY small) township wasn't what we were looking for anyway!
It has been on our walls for many years but as you can see from the number of artworks we are seeking to find new homes for, this nostalgic painting (for us) needs to make room for others we wish to hang.
Rosa was an artist based in Penrith (at the time in the early 1980's). We believe she was a non-professional artist although that didn't matter to us (what's in a name other than paying BIG $$$), her artistic skills are obvious and she captures our memories of Sofala so well - or at least the river where we toiled for so long ... we love the river scene depicted, the colouring (very much in the heat of summer - oh how we long for those days once again! Once we lived in a 'sunburnt country' now it is more similar to a lake around parts of NSW!
ROSA FREE - "River At Sofala"
Oil on canvas
1982
Rosa has signed and dated her artwork bottom right-hand corner (brown)
The rear of this artwork shows the title/subject of the painting. It has been 're-sealed' at the rear because after 20 years on the wall the original paper seal was becoming very tatty (not a good look, although who looks behind a painting anyway?)
The artwork is undamaged and clean
Carefully checked for flaking paint, 'fly spots' or other discolouration - nothing observed. This painting has been in our home, air-conditioned and smoke free.
The wooden frame is in very good condition. I noticed a couple of small areas where the wood moulding has chipped off but these are pretty insignificant little chips.
The frame is painted with a traditional metallic gold paint.
Two eyelets with nylon cord are in place - the painting is ready for someone else to enjoy!
MEASUREMENTS:
Artwork: 393mm wide x 293mm high
Frame: 500mm wide x 401mm high
SPECIAL NOTE:
Since taking this painting down from the wall we have kept it within sealed plastic to prevent it getting dirty, it will be shipped or supplied this way. Although we may not be viewing it any longer, it still deserves to be treated with respect.
