Norman Lindsay - Australia's Most Controversial Artist


by Jamie Horne - Date: 2008-08-19 - Word Count: 442 Share This!

Norman Alfred William Lindsay was born in Creswick, Victoria on February 22, 1879. He was a prolific artist, sculptor, writer, editorial cartoonist and scale modeller. His father was surgeon Robert Charles William Alexander Lindsay and mother, Jane Elizabeth Lindsay. He was one of ten children

Norman Lindsay is widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest artists, producing a vast number of works in different media, including pen drawing, etching, watercolour, oil and sculptures in concrete and bronze. His sumptuous nudes were highly controversial. In 1939, several were burned by irate wowsers in the United States who discovered them when the train in which they travelled caught fire. His original artworks are keenly sort after amongst auction houses and range from the rare but affordable etchings through to the elusive and expensive oils and watercolours.   Lindsay was associated with a number of poets, such as Kenneth Slessor, Francis Webb and Hugh McCrae, influencing them in part through a philosophical system outlined in his book Creative Effort. He also illustrated the cover for the seminal Henry Lawson book, While the Billy Boils. Lindsay's son, Jack Lindsay, emigrated to England, where he set up Fanfrolico Press, which issued works illustrated by Lindsay.   Lindsay also worked as an editorial cartoonist, notably for The Bulletin. Despite his enthusiasm for erotica, he shared the racist and right-wing political leanings that dominated The Bulletin at that time; the "Red Menace" and "Yellow Peril" were popular themes in his cartoons. These views occasionally spilled over into his other work, and modern editions of The Magic Pudding often omit one couplet in which "you unmitigated Jew" is used as an insult.   Lindsay's creative output was enormous. Several accounts tell of his working practices in the 1920's. He would wake early and produce a watercolour before breakfast, then by mid-morning he would be in his etching studio where he would work until late afternoon. He would work on a concrete sculpture in the garden during the afternoon and in the evening write a new chapter for whatever novel he was working on at the time. As a break, he would work on a model ship some days.   He married twice with his second wife, Rose Soady being his most recognised model. His first wife was Catherine Parkinson with whom he had three sons, Jack Raymond and Phillip. With Rose he had two children, Jane and Helen.   Norman Lindsay died on November 21, 1969 aged ninety, His works are today held in private and public collections with a large number in the care of Australia's National Galleries. His popular facsimile etchings and the occassional original work can be found on the Norman Lindsay website


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Jamie Horne is a passionate Norman Lindsay fan and is the webmaster for www.bendigo.ws and other regional Victorian websites

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