- 10
FRED WILLIAMS
Estimate
90,000 - 120,000 AUD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Fred Williams
- FOREST SAPLINGS
- Signed lower right
- Oil on composition board
- 121 by 90cm
- Painted in 1962
Provenance
Hal Hattam, Melbourne
Niagara Galleries, Melbourne
Private collection, Sydney
Rex Irwin Art Dealer, Sydney
Private collection, Sydney; purchased from the above
Condition
This work is framed in a white washed timber frame. This work is in good original condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Forest Saplings is one of William's major 'Saplings' series of the early 1960s, which also includes Sapling Forest, formerly in the Mertz Collection, and Triptych Landscape I, (The News Corporation Collection). As Patrick McCaughey has written, Williams moved in these paintings away from the darker, greener images of Sherbrooke Forest towards the light. Forest Saplings shimmers with light and heat, vibrant in both colour and touch, and celebrating 'the physical strengths and textures of the bush.'1
In painting these glowing, light-filled works, the artist primed his board with 'a heavy chalk ground, and on this firm base splattered tempera underpaint over the rigid structure of vertical tree trunks he had been using for several years. The paint was then freely applied.'2
James Mollison discusses the important interrelationship between Williams' paintings, etching and watercolours at this time. 'There is,' he concludes, 'a vision of dust-dry, sun-drenched forest in these paintings, along with a sense of touch of bark on the trees and the sound of the forest floor crackling underfoot.'3
1. Patrick McCaughy, Fred Williams, Bay Books, Sydney, 1980, p. 144
2. James Mollison, A Singular Vision: the Art of Fred Williams, Australian National Gallery, Canberra, 1989, pp. 73 - 74
3. ibid
In painting these glowing, light-filled works, the artist primed his board with 'a heavy chalk ground, and on this firm base splattered tempera underpaint over the rigid structure of vertical tree trunks he had been using for several years. The paint was then freely applied.'2
James Mollison discusses the important interrelationship between Williams' paintings, etching and watercolours at this time. 'There is,' he concludes, 'a vision of dust-dry, sun-drenched forest in these paintings, along with a sense of touch of bark on the trees and the sound of the forest floor crackling underfoot.'3
1. Patrick McCaughy, Fred Williams, Bay Books, Sydney, 1980, p. 144
2. James Mollison, A Singular Vision: the Art of Fred Williams, Australian National Gallery, Canberra, 1989, pp. 73 - 74
3. ibid