Nora Heysen ( 1911 -2003): Across the River
This small oil painting has found its way to the Boatshed. I understand it depicts an estuary, or cove – probably in Sydney Harbour.
Across the River
@ Lady Bay, SA
Nora Heysen ( 1911 -2003): Across the River
This small oil painting has found its way to the Boatshed. I understand it depicts an estuary, or cove – probably in Sydney Harbour.
Isn’t that lovely! It seems a bit more local than the Harbour, but you never know. Well done on bringing it in.
What a find Chris ! Where did you come across it? It’s charming.
Are any marks visible on the back- Numbers, stamps, a date perhaps ? Does the provenance give any more clues of galleries or auction houses it’s been through?
To me it suggests a European river village, with a busy river-bank wharf. I’m feeling for France. To me it’s like the Dordogne. I don’t get a feel for Australian light. Nora lived in Europe for several years.
The site of the settlement seems too close in, too vertical for Sydney Harbour … unless it’s somewhere like Mosman.
Wooded slopes of a rocky gorge seem to rise steeply behind the waterside village. And those cream shapes just above roof tops might be light committed rocky outcrops. The buildings on the LHS suggest civic buildings beside a wharf …
The most distant horizon, high above the crest of the gorge, suggests distant mountains under cloud.
Those are very useful thoughts, Lucy. Thankyou. The painting was purchased in Sydney many years ago, by our Aunt Dee and her husband Peter. Judging from scraps of paper on the back, it was purchased at auction. The price is scratched out. ‘Across the River’ is written on the back, and it is signed Nora Heysen on the bottom right, front. I have looked for a complete Nora Heysen catalogue online, so far unsuccessfully. The painting might be listed in her biography, which I can get hold of via eBay….more research required.
I think Lucy is right, more a European light and river ..maybe the Dordogne? I will ask Alan Campbell who has been a very special person at the Cedars.. and a great friend of Nora’s . He might have a good idea .
I love seeing this painting .
Another treasure.
Great to hear these views Chris. A charming discussion. I’m delighted Janet has similar instincts as I do about it and I look forward to hearing about her research through Alan Campbell.
It’s Interesting to know the work has been in your family for years, bought by your Aunt Dee … are any journals of hers known which might mention it ?
Chris can you read the scraps of paper on the back … do they have words & numbers?
Perhaps could you send pictures of these scraps ? They may indicate which auction house, even by code or registration number. Auction houses & dealers keep records of their sales.
Thanks Lucy. Not much to report regarding the back of this painting. Various bits of paper pasted on have been removed more or less. The title is written twice. The price has been erased. Item 18 is written twice; that might signify a portion of an auction, or number 18 of an exhibition. I am in touch with Allan Campbell from The Cedars, and will report back once I have shown the painting to him….