James McLachlan Nairn

James Nairn’s arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1890 was like a breath of fresh air for the country’s conservative art circles. Originally from Scotland, Nairn was a member of a progressive group of painters known as the Glasgow Boys, who were influenced by French developments in painting during the 1870s and 1880s, and particularly impressionism. He settled in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and became a strong influence on a younger generation of artists, both as a teacher and a professional artist. This luminous sun-soaked pastoral scene was painted at Silverstream, in the Hutt Valley within easy reach from Wellington. It was here that Nairn and other artists associated with the Wellington Sketch Club rented Pumpkin Cottage, which can be seen in the background. The artists developed a sense of comradery in the club, enjoying travelling from Wellington to Silverstream for weekends of plein air painting together, developing and sharing their interests in impressionism.

(Timeless: Treasures from the Historical Collection 19 September 2026 – 30 May 2027)