Breaking the News

"Breaking the News" is an evocative painting created in 1887 by Australian artist John Longstaff. It captures a poignant moment inside a miner’s cottage on the Victorian goldfields, where an elderly man delivers the heartbreaking news of a miner's death to a woman cradling her infant. This powerful piece resonated deeply with many and became widely popular, with reproductions appearing in mining towns across Australia.

Longstaff’s work earned him a scholarship and was celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Australian life. The inspiration for this painting came from a childhood memory Longstaff had of a mining accident near his hometown.

The painting also captured the attention of famed writer Henry Lawson, who was moved by its social commentary. This admiration led to Longstaff receiving a commission to paint Lawson’s portrait. This commission was significant as it eventually contributed to the establishment of the prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture in Australia.

Additionally, "Breaking the News" inspired a 1912 film of the same name, which dramatized the flooding of an underground mine and the subsequent rescue efforts. Although the film was a success at the time, it is now considered lost.

In 1933, the Art Gallery of Western Australia acquired this iconic painting, ensuring its preservation and continued appreciation by future generations.