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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 46 | August 2000


Self-portrait of Grace Cossington Smith acquired

Grace Cossington

In November last year the Library acquired through a Sotheby’s auction in Melbourne a self-portrait painted by one of Australia’s earliest proponents of Modernism, Grace Cossington Smith (1892–1984). Cossington Smith was an artist who lived her entire life in Sydney and is probably most well known for her domestic interiors and images of the Harbour Bridge during its construction.

One of the characteristics of Modernism is an expressive reliance on colour and even in this somewhat severe self-portrait we can observe the artist’s use of colour to convey form and depth as well as a certain emotional content. Interestingly, although this portrait was painted in 1951, it has the distinction of being previously unknown to the art world and general public alike.

This painting is an important addition to the Library’s collections. It is a wonderful documentary resource and will serve to enhance the manuscipt, oral history and printed material that the Library holds on this most worthy and interesting Australian artist.

The self-portrait is currently on display in the Library’s Visitors Centre.
Sophie Powell

Right: This self-portrait of Grace Cossington Smith is a new addition to the Pictorial Collection.

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