Aussie historian, author & entertainer Jim Haynes joins Overnight each week for his unique knowledge of the not-so-famous characters from Australia’s history. This week Jim shines the spotlight on John Peter Russell – Australia’s “lost impressionist”.

John Peter Russell (16 June 1858 – 30 April 1930) was an Australian impressionist painter, born and raised in Sydney.

Russell moved to Europe in his late teenage years to attend art school, where he befriended fellow pupil Vincent van Gogh.  In 1886, painted the first oil portrait of the artist, now held at the Van Gogh Museum.

That same year, Russell painted with Claude Monet at Belle Île, where he moved soon after with his wife, Marianna Russell, one of sculptor Auguste Rodin’s favourite models.

Henri Matisse visited Russell at Belle Île in the 1890s, and later credited the Australian with introducing him to impressionist techniques and colour theory.

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