Ernest William Christmas, (Australian, 1863-1918)
Signed: E.W. Christmas, ‘98, (lower, right)

" Coolibah Tree by a Billabong at Sunset "

Oil on canvas laid on masonite
36 1/16" x 24 1/8"

Appears to be in very good original condition with fresh, bright coloring with interesting brushwork.

This certainly could have been inspired by the poem/song by Andrew Barton " Banjo " Paterson, " Waltzing Matilda ” written in 1895, just a few years before the execution of this work.

" Once a Jolly Swagman Camped by a Billabong, Under the Shade of a Coolibah Tree "

Christmas moved to Kalgoorlie in 1894, just after the discovery of gold in that area, and lived there until 1900. After that he traveled widely, and died in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1918.