James Howe Carse

James Howe Carse (ca. 1819–1900) was a British Australian oil painter who specialised in landscapes. He was born in Edinburgh to a family of painters. He exhibited in the UK, won a gold medal in Chicago and rose to be described as the "best painter" in the colony of New South Wales.

Life Carse was born in about 1819 in Edinburgh a well-known painter of Scottish scenes. It is thought that he was named after James Howe, a contemporary Scottish painter of animals. was trained at the Royal Academy in London, but James was enrolled at the new Royal Scottish Academy, where his father, having returned to Scotland from London, was a founding member. His paintings at that time include several of scenes around Bolton and Oldham.

In 1866, Carse won a gold medal at the Intercolonial Exhibition in Chicago.

Adelaide, Australia (1867–1868) It is believed that Carse originally entered Australia via Adelaide in South Australia in 1867 due to ill-health. A watercolour drawing of the Kapunda copper mines is dated by Carse to 1867. Up until 1868, he did not devote much time to art. The works included landscape scenes on the Campaspe and Mile Creek, Melbourne (as seen from the Botanical Gardens) and other illustrations of bush life. By September 1868 Carse had begun commission work in animal and landscape paintings from premises at 143 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

By March 1869, Carse had six paintings exhibited in the shop of Mr. Whitehead, Collins Street, Melbourne, including one of Coliban Falls, two of Mount Beckwith, one of Mile Creek, and the other two were unnamed. In November 1869, he had created two new works based on the landscapes in Talbot country, Victoria – one of Middle Creek near Clunes, and another of a swamp in the same area. thumb

In late 1869, Carse went on a "professional excursion" to the country. He returned with two oil paintings and a variety of sketches. The completed works were put on display at Hines Gallery, Collins Street by mid-January, 1870. The two paintings included Riddell's Creek Falls and Evening at Riddell's Creek.

Another painting accredited to Carse during 1869 is A River Ferry Crossing.

In December 1870, Carse contributed a number of his paintings to the Victorian Academy of Art exhibition, hosted in the carriage annexe of Melbourne's exhibition building.

Queensland, Australia (1869–1870) During 1869 to 1870, it appears that Carse travelled to Queensland where he painted Gladstone, Queensland, New Zealand Gully, near Rockhampton, Queensland, and Townsville, Queensland.

Sydney, Australia (1871–1900) By January 1871 Carse had left Melbourne and was located in George Street, Sydney.

In March 1872 he exhibited Weatherboard Waterfalls (No.79) at the first exhibition of colonial works for the first New South Wales Academy of Arts exhibition at Sydney's Chamber of Commerce. He received a certificate of merit, although many considered his work one of the best at the exhibition. In the same year he exhibited A View on the Weatherboard (No.129) in the Agricultural Society of New South Wales' Annual Show, where he was award second prize.

For the second New South Wales Academy of Arts exhibition on 15 April 1873, Carse provided four oil paintings; Mount Dromedary from Hobbs' Point (No.15), The Waterfall in the Blue Mountains (No.16), Loch Oich and Inverary Castle in Scotland (No.17), and Loch Laggan (No.18). Carse took out the Hon. John Campbell prize of £25 for Loch Oich and Inverary Castle in Scotland.

For the third New South Wales Academy of Arts exhibition in April 1874, Carse submitted a portrait of himself sitting in his studio working with brush and palette. In July, nine paintings by Carse were sent to Victorian Academy of Art exhibition in Melbourne. The paintings included Loch Oich and Inverary Castle in Scotland, The Waterfall in the Blue Mountains, Mount Dromedary from Hobbs' Point, Weatherboard Waterfalls, Aisla Craig, Mount Macedon, Willoughby Falls on the North Shore, Loch Laggan and Loch Ericht. An additional painting Loch Subnaig (No.100) was also presented.

For the fourth New South Wales Academy of Arts exhibition in March 1875, Carse submitted Bega Swamp and Views on the Wagonga River. A total of five pieces were submitted (No.s 16–19, 50 & 51). He received Highly Commended and Certificate of Merit (No.19). Works submitted for the exhibition were transferred to the Sydney Intercolonial Exhibition of 1875 (No.30,31,35,41,44,45).

Carse, now living in Waverly, sent two pictures to the Intercolonial Exhibition in Melbourne, September 1875. The two pictures were A Creek in New South Wales and Walaga Falls. He received third place (No.3089 & 3090).

In November 1875, Carse and fellow artists J.A.C. Willis, Grant Lloyd, A.B. McMinn and H Wise, visited camps set up by the Academy of Arts in the Grose Valley, Blue Mountains.

An exhibition of his new work was shown at the Melbourne Public Library. He enjoyed commercial success, as an engraving of his drawing was included on the front cover of the Illustrated Melbourne Post later that year.

By 1876 he had helped to found Melbourne's Victorian Academy of Art and the New South Wales Academy of Art, and he had been awarded numerous prizes and awards.