Lot 59

Private collection, Melbourne

From a young age Jessie Traill expressed an interest in the arts, but after befriending artist Tom Roberts she had her mind set. She commenced art studies at the National Gallery School from 1901 to 1906 and was taught by the Australian impressionists Frederick McCubbin and John Mather.
In 1906 Traill left for Europe where she studied at the Academie Colarossi and La Grande Chaumière in Paris and was inspired by the art nouveau movement.
From here she experimented with architectural subjects including buildings, mines, and scaffolding with an emphasis on scale through dramatic chiaroscuro. Her most famous works in this style were between 1927-32 where she documented the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge - a symbol of industry and modernity in Australia.