HOT WIND, 1889 – Charles Condor – GICLEE PRINT – 42 x 91.5 cm

Description

Hot Wind by Charles Conder

Hot Wind (1889) is a striking Symbolist Impressionist painting by English-born Australian artist Charles Conder (1868–1909). The artwork shows a mysterious woman or sorceress lying on a hot, windswept beach. Nearby, she blows into a firepit or cauldron as a large snake moves towards her. Through this dramatic scene, Conder captured the harsh conditions of the great Victorian drought of 1888–1889. The painting combines symbolism, movement, and atmosphere to reflect the fear and destruction caused by the extreme climate.

The Great Victorian Drought of 1888–1889

Often called the “Centennial Drought”, this extreme dry period became one of the worst short-term droughts in Australia’s colonial history. The drought spread across Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and South Australia. As a result, farming communities faced severe hardship.

The town of Narrandera in south-western New South Wales suffered badly during 1888. The region received less than half its average annual rainfall, with only eight inches of rain recorded for the entire year. Consequently, livestock died in large numbers and wheat crops failed. At the same time, a widespread rabbit plague destroyed the remaining vegetation. Without plant cover, the dry topsoil lifted easily into the air, creating massive dust storms across the landscape.

The Artist – Charles Conder

Charles Conder (1868–1909) played an important role in the Heidelberg School and the development of Australian Impressionism. Although born in England, he spent much of his early life in Australia. He became well known for his light-filled landscapes, decorative compositions, and elegant figure studies.

Conder often painted scenes of everyday Australian life with a relaxed and atmospheric style. Later in his career, however, he drew inspiration from European art, Symbolism, and decorative design. Today, many people regard him as one of the key figures in early Australian art history.