Golden Summer at Full Size, and How to Get There
Streeton's most famous painting is wider than most living room walls expect. The exact measurements, what they mean for a print, and how to order at scale.
Arthur Streeton painted Golden Summer, Eaglemont in 1889 on a canvas measuring roughly 81 by 153 centimetres, about 32 by 60 inches. Reproductions are widely available, and that full width is achievable as a canvas print or a wide framed edition, though most sellers default to smaller standard sizes.
The Actual Measurements of the Painting
Golden Summer, Eaglemont is an unusually wide canvas for an Australian Impressionist painting. It measures approximately 81 by 153 centimetres, or about 32 by 60 inches, close to a two to one proportion. That ratio matters more than the raw numbers, because it determines whether the work fits above a sofa or a sideboard without a compromise.
The painting hangs in the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, where its scale is part of the effect. In reproduction, most people meet it first as a small image and underestimate the width. If you are matching the original's presence on a wall, plan for something near the full 60 inch span rather than a half scale version.
Ordering a Print at Original Size
Specialist art print sellers can reproduce Golden Summer at or near full dimensions, usually as a canvas print, because a 60 inch framed work under glass becomes heavy and glary. Canvas also suits Streeton's visible brushwork better than a flat paper print. Expect to specify the size rather than find it pre-listed, since standard catalogues stop at 24 by 36 inches.
Before ordering, measure the wall. A faithful 32 by 60 inch reproduction needs clear space around it, roughly 15 centimetres on each side as a minimum. If the wall cannot take the full width, a two thirds scale version around 40 inches wide keeps the composition's horizontal sweep intact without dominating the room.
What to check before ordering
- Confirm the seller offers the full image without cropping the sky or foreground
- Ask whether the reproduction is scaled to the original two to one proportion
- Check that the source image is high resolution enough to hold at 60 inches
- Compare canvas and framed paper options for a work this wide
Why the Size Surprises People
Golden Summer was painted outdoors at Eaglemont during the drought summer of 1889, when Streeton was in his early twenties. The panoramic format was a deliberate choice, letting him run the heat haze and golden paddocks across the full width of the canvas. Reproduced small, that sweep collapses into a generic landscape.
This is the gap most buyers hit. Search results give thumbnail images and standard print sizes, and the painting's true proportions never surface. The fix is simple. Work from the original measurements, roughly 32 by 60 inches, and treat anything narrower as a deliberate reduction rather than a faithful copy.
Reproduced at postcard size, Golden Summer loses the very thing that makes it famous, the width.
| Format | Approximate size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original canvas | 81 x 153 cm, about 32 x 60 in | Painted 1889, held in Canberra |
| Full size canvas print | 32 x 60 in | Closest match to the original presence |
| Two thirds scale | About 21 x 40 in | Keeps the horizontal sweep in smaller rooms |
Golden Summer, Eaglemont at a glance
Key takeaways
- Golden Summer, Eaglemont measures approximately 81 by 153 centimetres, about 32 by 60 inches.
- The painting's two to one proportion is what gives it the panoramic effect, so width matters more than height.
- Full size reproductions usually work best as canvas prints rather than glass framed paper editions.
- If your wall cannot take 60 inches, a two thirds scale version preserves the composition better than a half scale one.
Related questions
Where is the original Golden Summer painting?
The original hangs in the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. Seeing it in person is worthwhile precisely because of the scale, which reproductions flatten. If you are verifying dimensions before ordering a print, the gallery's own collection listing is the most reliable published source.
Is a 60 inch print too big for a living room?
It depends on the wall, not the room. Above a standard three seat sofa, a 60 inch width sits comfortably with room to spare. In a smaller room, choose a two thirds scale version around 40 inches wide. The composition survives reduction better than cropping does.
Why do most print shops only list smaller sizes of Golden Summer?
Standard print catalogues are built around frame sizes, and 32 by 60 inches sits outside them. Sellers who offer custom dimensions can usually print at full scale on canvas. Always confirm the full image is included without cropping before you order, since wide paintings are often trimmed to fit standard ratios.
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View the collectionGeneral art-historical background drawn from public museum records and standard reference literature. Pricing reflects Auvrique editions and is indicative only.