SET OF THREE OIL PAINTINGS, c.1920s

Important Australian and International Fine Art
Sydney
10 May 2017
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30

NORMAN LINDSAY

(1879 – 1969)
SET OF THREE OIL PAINTINGS, c.1920s

left:
oil on canvas on board
29.5 x 21.5 cm (oval)
centre:
oil on wood panel

43.5 x 34.5 cm (oval)
right:
oil on canvas on board
29.0 x 22.0 cm (oval)

Estimate: 
$30,000 – 50,000 (3)
Sold for $31,720 (inc. BP) in Auction 49 - 10 May 2017, Sydney
Provenance

Estate of the artist, Faulconbridge, New South Wales
Thence by descent
Private collection, Sydney

Literature

Bloomfield, L., Norman Lindsay: Oil Paintings 1889 – 1969, Odana Editions, Bungendore, New South Wales, 2006, p.271 (illus.)

Related works

The Yellow Lady, 1920, etching and engraving, 13.0 x 12.5 cm, illus. in Bloomfield, L., Norman Lindsay: Oil Paintings 1889 – 1969, Odana Editions, Bungendore, New South Wales, 2006, p.271


“This set of three oval paintings was originally intended as a furniture decoration but as the three hung so well together, the outer pair splendidly complementing the central piece, Norman decided to keep them as a separate statement. The centrepiece bears some resemblance to the etching, The Yellow Lady.”

Catalogue text

In addition to his prodigious output of oil and watercolour paintings, etchings, pen and pencil drawings, lithographs, woodblocks, ship models, cement sculpture and novels, Norman made furniture. He often built secret compartments into his cabinets in order to hide private letters and drawings from Rose – a futile exercise as she always knew where they were.

In 1957 Lindsay wrote to his sister Mary: ‘Since being here on my own I’ve done a lot of work, made a handsome cabinet – decorated with carved reliefs and painted panels…’

The cabinet referred to is on display at the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum. It is based on the cassone, or Italian wedding chest (which originated in the Renaissance) and which traditionally often combined painting, carving and modelling. To this cabinet Norman added a small oval painting in an elaborate gilded frame to each of the doors…1

1. Bloomfield, L., Norman Lindsay Oil Paintings 1889-1969, Odana Editions, New South Wales, 2006, p. 268