Still glides the stream, and shall for ever glide

Arthur Streeton’s Still Glides the Stream, and Shall for Ever Glide captures a moment of deep calm in the Australian landscape. A wide river moves slowly through open land, its surface catching light in a way that feels timeless and unbroken. The banks are low and gentle, and the surrounding trees and sky seem to lean quietly into the scene. There is no clear action or focal event. The painting rests on stillness and continuity.

The title, taken from a line of poetry, reinforces the idea of nature moving beyond human time. Streeton was drawn to places where the land felt open and enduring, and here the stream becomes a symbol of permanence amid subtle change. The loose brushwork and soft colors emphasize atmosphere over detail, inviting the viewer to linger. It is a painting about patience and presence, suggesting that while lives pass and moments fade, the river continues its steady course.