The Artist’s Corner

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 577, 1 February 1929, Page 14

The Artist’s Corner

SIR JOHN LONGSTAFF, ! I THE MELBOURNE PAIN- | TER, CARRIES OFF ARCHI- j BALD PRIZE FOR SECOND TIME

NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTED Cjlß JOHN LONGSTAFF, for tile second time, has carried off the Archibald Prize, Sydney’s coveted art distinction. As the Prize is now only a fraction short of £6OO, naturally there is keen interest to win it as well as to possess the honour of having paipted the finest Australian portrait, of the year. The winning portrait is a seated three-quarter length study of the figure of Dr. Alexander Leeper, formerly Warden of Trinity College, University of Melbourne. Though reposeful in style, there is impressive character in the portrait, into which a high colour note is introduced by the scarlet university gown with its amber facings. It is in Sir John Longstaff’s best style, and is a notable example of his work. When lie won the Archibald Prize in 1922 the sitter was Mr. Maurice Moscovitch, the actor. The Melbourne painter’s other portrait for the 1929 competition is of Mr. Theodore Fink, the wellknown financier and newspaper owner from the Victorian capital. It also attracts by its vigour and personality.

Mr. W. B. Mclnnes, who won the Prize on five distinct occasions, forwarded a portrait of Mr. Frank Tate, C.M.G., director of the Victorian educational policy for a number of years. It is one of the most striking works on view, and has attracted much attention. Mr. George Lambert, A.R.A., last year’s winner, was represented by two outstanding studies. The subject in the first, Mr. Julian Ashton, is seen seated with crossed legs at a table. On it are placed an open hook, one or two wine decanters, a bowl of fruit and several superb sheaths of the artist’s favourite gladioli. A heavily decorative picture frame is in the right-hand corner. The study is painted in Mr. Lambert’s brilliant style, and his draughtsmanship, as usual, is excellent. The second portrait is of Mr. Howard Hinton. Natural and convincing in treatment against the invariable decorative

Lambert background, it was shown at the last Society of Artists show. Mr. W. A. Bowring, R. 0.1., Aucklander born, is represented by no fewer than three subjects. Outstanding in merit, however, is his selfportrait. The artist is shown, palette in hand, in his studio. Mr. Bowring has been particularly successful in the treatment of his own eyes. His portrait of Sir Henry Braddon, a pressentation gift to the recently retired head of Dalgety and Company, Ltd., is meritorious. But there is much more vigorous work on exhibition. His study of the Rev. lI.•’M. Baker, however, is certainly animated, and full of character. Fred Leist has contributed a skilful portrait, treated in impressionistic vein, of Diana Moody, a beautiful young Sydney presswoman. Mr. Allan Wilkie is seen in the cardinal robes and birdtta of Wolsey, a portrait painted by William Rowell. Mr. R. H. Jerrold-Nathan’s portrait of the Premier (Mr. Bavin) is a distinct disappointment. Mr. J. Muir Auld is represented by a self-portrait. In all 66 studies were entered for the competition —10 more than last year. The standard, it is generally agreed, is appreciably higher each year. 1929 shows a distinct advance against the portraits exhibited, say, even five years ago. ERIC RAMSDEN. Sydney.