EDWARD ROPER (1830-1909) Night Hunting

EDWARD ROPER (1830-1909)
Night Hunting

oil on canvas
signed lower right: E Roper
52.5 x 42cm

PROVENANCE
Private collection, United Kingdom
Sotheby's, Melbourne, Important Australian Art, 27 August 2007, Lot 275
Private collection, Adelaide

EXHIBITED
Colonial Fine Art. Exhibition: Exhibition of Australian and New Zealand, American & Canadian Oil Paintings and Water Colour Drawing, Burlington Gallery, London, under the patronage of Sir Saul Samuel KCMG, between 1882-1886, cat. 93, titled A fine night for Possums (Phalangers). The night-time possum-hunting scene was evidently a favourite subject. Another version in oil is held in the National Gallery of Canada, while the National Library of Australia holds a Christmas card featuring the same composition in reverse, and with marginal decorations of possums and flowering gum trees.