The drought was extreme during the Second World War in the outback, the desert region beyond the Australian bush. In 1944 the Sydney Morning Herald sends an investigative journalist to see the damage. He is accompanied by Russell Drysdale.
Families live in isolated houses as in pioneer times. Who are they ? What are they doing ? What are they waiting for? They are the forgotten people of the planet, just like the father and his two sons photographed in 1936 by Rothstein in Oklahoma. In these terrible conditions their family life is normal. Children play and jump like all children in the world.
Deeply moved, Drysdale appreciates that his drawings will not be enough. He becomes a painter. His portraits of old Australians with chiseled faces are unprecedented. Rocky McCormack, oil on canvas 111 x 86 cm painted in 1962-1963, was sold for A $ 1.9M including premium by Sotheby's on August 25, 2008.
In the 1970s the artist had almost completely lost his eyesight. He is re-focusing on his first theme of family life in the desert. Grandma's Sunday Walk, 75 x 126 cm painted in 1972, was sold for A $ 2.97M including premium by Mossgreen on June 25, 2017.
Evening on Stony Plains, oil on canvas 50 x 76 cm bought by a Melbourne gallery in 1978, has just surfaced. In the foreground the barefoot father is very tall and very thin. In front of the poor dwelling, the mother and the son take a rest. The two little girls play. This artwork is estimated A $ 800K for sale by Menzies in Melbourne on April 26, lot 30. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
SOLD for AUD 800K before fees
Families live in isolated houses as in pioneer times. Who are they ? What are they doing ? What are they waiting for? They are the forgotten people of the planet, just like the father and his two sons photographed in 1936 by Rothstein in Oklahoma. In these terrible conditions their family life is normal. Children play and jump like all children in the world.
Deeply moved, Drysdale appreciates that his drawings will not be enough. He becomes a painter. His portraits of old Australians with chiseled faces are unprecedented. Rocky McCormack, oil on canvas 111 x 86 cm painted in 1962-1963, was sold for A $ 1.9M including premium by Sotheby's on August 25, 2008.
In the 1970s the artist had almost completely lost his eyesight. He is re-focusing on his first theme of family life in the desert. Grandma's Sunday Walk, 75 x 126 cm painted in 1972, was sold for A $ 2.97M including premium by Mossgreen on June 25, 2017.
Evening on Stony Plains, oil on canvas 50 x 76 cm bought by a Melbourne gallery in 1978, has just surfaced. In the foreground the barefoot father is very tall and very thin. In front of the poor dwelling, the mother and the son take a rest. The two little girls play. This artwork is estimated A $ 800K for sale by Menzies in Melbourne on April 26, lot 30. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
SOLD for AUD 800K before fees
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