Thursday, 16 June 2011

Norman Lindsay was a Controversial Yet Impressive Artist

By Jamie Horne


Norman Lindsay's full name was Norman Alfred William Lindsay, born February 22nd, 1879 in Creswick, Victoria and little did he be aware that his natural talent and creative qualities may eventually help to make him Australia's best recognized and prized artist. His mum and dad were Jane Elizabeth Lindsay and Robert Charles William Alexander Lindsay. He was part of a family group of 10 boys and girls, six males and four girls, several of who, including Lionel and Percy had artistic talents like Norman. Norman Lindsay is now commonly regarded as one of the country's greatest painters and has left a important collection of paintings, drawings and etchings that are these days eagerly asked for by enthusiasts and investors alike. Norman obtained various talents combined with opinions that would insight talk and judgement in relation to some of his political opinions and additionally how he pictured them in his art. Norman was an accomplished painter, etcher, writer, sculptor, and modeller together with having published a number of books.

Norman Lindsay generated a vast quantity of artworks in a variety of media such as oils, watercolours, etchings and pencil drawings. Norman wrote children's stories and is usually best identified for his tale The Magic Pudding that is still printed at present. Some of his publications created outrage with regard to its subject matter one especially, Redheap ended up being forbidden. One of his most well written about early positions had been as a cartoonist for the Bulletin. In the course of his employment at the The Bulletin he illustrated the political ideas of the newspaper plus his own which were very often considered bigoted as well as very right winged. Several of the cartoon characters which appeared consistently in his cartoons were the Red Menace and also the Yellow Peril. His artwork was the major avenue which he utilised to voice his political feelings. He furthermore had a taste for the sensual. He was well known to his good friends to be a compulsive artist always working on one fine art project or another.

Whilst his home at Falconbridge had been established amongst impressive gardens and it grew in size over the years his studio was modest and this served as a motivation to other artists. Norman Lindsay created numerous awesome paintings and sketches duirng his life however he was also well recognised for his etchings and sculptures.Norman realised his artistic capabilities as a younger child when he was very ill. Though several of Norman's sibblings were experienced artists it was Lionel, his brother with whom he ultimately transferred to Melbourne in order to take up employment with a local publication.

Changing jobs, Norman and his brother resolved to go to work for the Sydney Bulletin. Their employment had them being employed as artists, sketching caricatures, cartoons and pictures to be published in the magazine. Lionel got a reputation for being troublesome and whilst an extraordinary artist he eventually left the Bulletin leaving behind Norman to grow. One of Norman Lindsay's pen pictures referred to as Crucified Venus was taken down from an art show after it was regarded as offensive. Eventually the art was returned to the display the moment the President of the Society of Artists threatened to take away most of the other paintings if it was not returned.

Norman Lindsay was married twice, his first spouse Catherine left him in 1909 and he remarried in 1920 to Rose who had been one of his models. Rose had been a well-liked model but she was at the same time an exceptional businesswoman and can be credited for a good deal of Norman's success. She oversaw his work and because Norman Lindsay was continually moving onto his next piece after he completed one, she soon accumulated an outstanding selection most of which has now been preserved. So well known and legendary is the Norman Lindsay brand that his works are displayed in the principal Australian art galleries and hold pride of place in a large number of private homes and corporate offices. Auction houses frequently offer a wide range of Norman Lindsay pieces of art and the huge demand has seen a continual rise in values over the years. Norman Lindsay passed on in 1969 and will always appreciated as one of Australia's very best and most controversial artists.




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