THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
In 1918 Wakelin was at the spearhead of the modernist movement in Australian painting. Working closely with Roy de Maistre, the two eschewed the post impressionism developed in Rubbo's classes with Cossington Smith and moved towards abstraction in their pursuit of 'Colour Music'. By 1919 they had produced the first abstract paintings in Australia, exhibiting eleven 'Synchronomies' at Gayfield Shaw's Art Salon in Sydney, of which only de Maistre's Rhythmic Composition in Yellow Green Minor now survives.
In 1920/21 the Melbourne tonalist Max Meldrum visited Sydney and influenced Wakelin's painting for a short period (see lot 44). In 1922 Wakelin sailed for England where he saw the Moderns, Cézanne, Seurat, Gauguin and Van Gogh (see lot 46) for the first time.
Roland Shakespeare Wakelin (1887-1971)
Details
Roland Shakespeare Wakelin (1887-1971)
Beach and Houses
signed and dated 'R. Wakelin/1918', on board, unframed
4½ x 6¾in. (11.4 x 17.2cm.)
Beach and Houses
signed and dated 'R. Wakelin/1918', on board, unframed
4½ x 6¾in. (11.4 x 17.2cm.)
Provenance
Charles Osbiston, and thence by descent to the present owner, his daughter-in-law