‘Adeney Avenue’ was the title given to this painting following its donation to the Kew Historical Society, yet the work’s origins predate the naming of Adeney Avenue in 1907 [originally gazetted as ‘Park Street’ (1865) and ‘Park Street South’ (1875).] Park Street ran between High Street and Parkhill Road beside what was later to become ‘Victoria Park’. This area was described in 1851 as “…a dense forest of gums and wattles which were to be largely cleared by 1888 after the naming of a recreation reserve”. The Reserve was still bisected by an unnamed creek in 1896, when the area was surveyed by the MMBW. The panoramic vista selected by the artist would appear to include ‘Eborensis’ (c.1895) on the corner of Parkhill Road and what was then Park Street, with views across cleared land towards the distant ranges. In the 19th century, north Kew was largely undeveloped farms stretching down to the Yarra. Oil on canvas by an unidentified artist of a panoramic view depicting what is now known as East Kew with mountains on the horizon. In the foreground is a two storey brick residence - Eborensis - located on the northeast corner of Parkhill Road and what is now Adeney Avenue. The view of the landscape and its rolling hills resulted from farming practices adopted following colonisation and settlement. Trees in the foreground and in the distance include remnant Eucalypts and introduced exotics.Label on rear of frame states "House on corner of Adeney Ave & Parkhill. [Regd. 254"]. Otherwise unsigned and undatedadeney avenue (kew), eborensis, park street (kew)

William Nichols Anderson (1873-1927) was an Australian painter, one of whose works from the 1906 series River + Rail is in the Kew Historical Society’s art collection (donated 1984). A separate archive file contains correspondence, biographical information (written by his niece), and locations in Kew where he lived. Much of the correspondence between the Society and the City of Kew relates to the painting and its location in the Mayor’s Room at the Kew Civic Offices, Charles Street, where it was on loan from the Society. Lucy M (Jean) Hornby, the artist’s niece and the donor of the painting was a resident of 5 and 20 Queens Street, Kew (Vic). Australian ImpressionismGift of Lucy Hornby, 1984Framed oil on canvas by W. Nicholls Anderson of Park Street, Kew (now Adeney Avenue) looking uphill in a southerly direction towards Cotham Road. The painting is dated to 1906. The two storey house at left was known as 'Eborensis'. The house is still extant on the corner of Adeney Avenue and Parkhill Road. On sticker on back of frame - Adeney Ave./1913/ £3.3.0/ 13th Annual/ Exhib. V.A.S [Victorian Artists Society]/1911 Aust Art Exhib/the Guidlhall/Swanston st Melb./ Adeney's Paddock/ Kew. £3.0.0.artists - kew - victoria - australia, victorian artists society, william nicholls anderson (1873-1927), adeney avenue kew, australian art exhibition 1911, victorian artists' society, w. nicholls anderson