ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 42 | December 1999
Lawson in paint
![]() |
This small, semi-formal sketch of Henry Lawson by John Longstaff was acquired recently for the Librarys Pictorial Collection. It is painted from life, possibly one of several studies done in relation to the larger and finished portrait by Longstaff, dated 1900, held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The informality of this bold and vigorously executed sketch, catching the subject slightly off-guard, permits the viewer a glimpse into the fragile nature of Henry Lawsons character. It is the immediacy accentuating Lawsons vulnerability, less apparent in the formal portrait, which particularly lends appeal to this work. The portrait complements correspondence, drafts and notes by Lawson held in the Library's Manuscript Collection. John Longstaff (18611941)
|
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: lkirwan@nla.gov.au