Early summer, Gorse in bloom

Arthur Streeton’s Early Summer, Gorse in Bloom captures the landscape at a gentle turning point in the season. Low hills stretch across the scene, dotted with bright yellow gorse that catches the sunlight and brings warmth to the open land. A few figures move quietly along paths and fences, small and unhurried, giving the scene a lived in but peaceful feel. The sky is wide and clear, and the light feels fresh rather than harsh, suggesting days that are growing warmer without yet becoming oppressive.

The painting is less about action than atmosphere. Streeton focuses on how color and light signal the arrival of early summer, when growth is visible and the land feels quietly generous. The gorse in bloom becomes a marker of time, brief and vibrant against a landscape that endures. It reflects Streeton’s ability to find meaning in simple seasonal change, showing how light, land, and everyday life come together in calm balance.