Lot 37

Purchased by vendor's mother-in-law, late 1960s
Thence by descent

Fred Williams' iconic status in the sphere of Australian Art is mostly centred on his landscape subjects. However, his early work is grounded in figuration. In 1943 Fred began night classes at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School in Melbourne where he studied drawing. In term three in 1946, the same year this painting was produced, Fred became a full time student. Under the tutelage of the great tonal realist, Sir William Dargie, he began a specific focus on life drawing . Many of his sketches from this time can be seen in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
This painting, produced in 1946, highlights his focus on form and represents a pivotal time of transition for one of Australia's most recognised artists.