Russell Drysdale

(England, Australia 07 Feb 1912–29 Jun 1981)

Title

Sofala

Year

(1947)

Media category

Painting

Materials used

oil on canvas on hardboard

Dimensions

71.7 x 93.1cm board; 91.2 x 112.2 x 6.5cm frame

Signature & date

Signed l.r. corner, brown oil "Russell Drysdale". Not dated.

Credit

Purchased by the Gallery Trustees from Macquarie Galleries, Sydney 19/12/1952

Accession number

8700

Copyright

Location

20th & 21st c Australian art

Further information

'Sofala' is regarded as one of Russell Drysdale’s finest paintings, representing the artist at the height of his powers. With its compelling evocation of atmosphere and ambience, the painting transcends literal description of a particular place to become an expression of the quintessential qualities of an inland Australian country town.

Drysdale first visited this former gold-mining settlement in August 1947 with fellow artist Donald Friend. He made a sketch and took photographs but, as was customary for him, completed the painting in his studio on returning to Sydney.
In 'Sofala', Drysdale pares down the reality of the subject to its barest essentials, achieving an intensified synthesis of visual and emotional impact. His modernist focus on the construction of mood in this work marked a radical departure from the prevailing traditions of Australian landscape painting.

Bibliography (74)

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Anne Gray (Australia, b.1947) (Author), Hendrik Kolenberg (Netherlands; Australia) (Author), Tim Bonyhady (b.1957) (Author), Russell Drysdale, Perth, 1999, 8, 13.

General mathematics 1999, 1999, 389 (illus.). Using geometry to analyse perspective in works of art.

'The past master' by John McDonald pg. 12., The Sydney Morning Herald 11 Apr 1998, 11 Apr 1998, 12.

Look Apr 1998, Apr 1998, 3 (colour illus.), 15.

Louise Sweetland (Australia) (Editor), Edmund Capon (England; Australia, b.1940) (Author), Elizabeth Cross (Australia, b.1943) (Author), Barry Pearce (Australia) (Author), Southern Reflections: 10 contemporary Australian artists, Domain, 1998, 40 (colour illus.). fig.no. 13

'Post-war visions'., Change and continuity; 20th Century Australian History 1998, 1998, 177 (colour illus.). source 4.75

Zoë Ross (Editor), Eyewitness travel guides: Australia, London, 1998, 106 (colour illus.).

'Wynne Centenary' by Helen Campbell, pg. 20-21., Look Apr 1997, Apr 1997, 20 (colour illus.).

'Close-ups of the collection', pg. 6., Look Mar 1997, Mar 1997, 3 (colour illus.), 6.

Geoffrey Smith (Author), Russell Drysdale 1912-1981, Melbourne, 1997, 23, 102, 103 (colour illus.). cat.no. 35

Wynne centenary 1897-1997: a selection of past winners from the Gallery's collection 1997, 1997, (colour illus.).

'Moments at the end of the world' by John Macdonald pg 14-15., The Sydney Morning Herald 05 Aug 1995, 05 Aug 1995, 14.

'Gold in them thar Hill End works' by Joyce Morgan pg. 14., The Australian 28 Jul 1995, 28 Jul 1995, 14 (colour illus.).

'Hill End: preserving the painting ground' by Angela Bennie pg. 13-14, The Sydney Morning Herald 28 Jul 1995, 28 Jul 1995, 13.

'Figurative versus abstract 1951-60s' by Donald Williams, In our own image: the story of Australian art 1995, 1995, 141 (colour illus.).

Gavin Wilson (Australia) (Author), The artists of Hill End, Sydney, 1995, 24, 36, 39 (colour illus.), 45, 93, 118. plate no. 16

'The Hill End Group 1947-56', pg. 2-5., The artists of Hill End: Education guide 1995, 1995, cover (colour illus.), 2 (illus.). fig.no. 1

'The artists of Hill End' by Joanna Mendelssohn., Bulletin 1995, 1995, 14. page number unknown

Patrick White (England; Australia, b.1912, d.1990) (Author), Riders in the chariot, Australia, 1993, cover (colour illus.). detail

'Australia 1947', pg. 330., Australia through time 1993, 1993, 330 (colour illus.).

Bernard Smith (Australia, b.1916, d.2011) (Author), Terry Smith (Author), Australian painting 1788-1990, South Melbourne, 1991, 249, 250 (illus.), 559. fig.no. 144

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Bernard Smith (Australia, b.1916, d.2011) (Author), The critic as advocate: selected essays 1941-1988, Melbourne, 1989, 102.

Annabel Davie (Editor), Art Gallery of New South Wales Handbook, Domain, 1988, 26-27 (colour illus.).

Jenepher Duncan (Australia) (Author), Dr Joseph Brown (Australia) (Author), Rod Andrews (Author), Margaret Plant (Australia, b.1940) (Author), Russell Drysdale, Clayton, 1987, 10 (illus.), 23. The illustration in this publication is a replica of what appeared in 'The Illustrated London News' article dated 16 December, 1950.

Edmund Capon (England; Australia, b.1940) (Director), Barry Pearce (Australia) (Curator), Dinah Dysart (Australia) (Curator), The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition, Sydney, 1986, cover (colour illus.), 15, 26.

‘Richness in little-seen Drysdales’ by Susanna Short., The Sydney Morning Herald 21 Jun 1985, 21 Jun 1985. page number unknown

'Drysdale: the outback psyche revisited...' by Elwyn Lynn., The Weekend Australian Magazine 15 Jun 1985, 15 Jun 1985. page number unknown

Gary Catalano (Australia, b.1947, d.2002) (Author), An intimate Australia: The landscape & recent Australian art, Sydney, 1985, 20-21 (illus.), 27.

Dinah Dysart (Australia) (Director), Lou Klepac (Australia; Croatia, b.1936) (Author), Russell Drysdale: paintings 1940-72, Sydney, 1985, 9. cat.no. 21

Barry Pearce (Australia) (Author), Patrick McCaughey (Northern Ireland; Australia, b.1943) (Author), Twentieth century Australian masterworks from the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Fred Williams Pilbara Series, Tokyo, 1985, 35 (colour illus.). cat.no. 18

Editor Unknown (Editor), Australian art masterpieces, South Yarra, 1984, (colour illus.). plate no. 100

Edmund Capon (England; Australia, b.1940) (Editor), Jan Meek (Australia) (Editor), Portrait of a Gallery, Sydney, 1984, 73, 75 (colour illus.).

Lou Klepac (Australia; Croatia, b.1936) (Author), The life and work of Russell Drysdale, Kensington, 1983, 42, 90-91, 105, 121, 136, 268 (colour illus.), 367. plate no. 82

‘The figure of Russell Drysdale’ by Gary Catalano pg. 23-30., Quadrant Apr 1982, Apr 1982, 28.

'Focus on Drysdales at emotional auction' by Susanna Short., The Sydney Morning Herald 01 Jul 1981, 01 Jul 1981. page number unknown

Richard Haese (Australia) (Author), Rebels and precursors : the revolutionary years of Australian art, Ringwood, 1981, 264.

Gary Catalano (Australia, b.1947, d.2002) (Author), The years of hope: Australian art and criticism 1959-1968, Melbourne, 1981, 26.

William Splatt (Author), Barbara Burton (Author), A treasury of Australian painting, Australia, 1976, 55, 58 (colour illus.), 67. plate no. 42

John Douglas Pringle (England; Australia, d.1999) (Author), Russell Drysdale (England; Australia, b.1912, d.1981) (Author), Russell Drysdale's Australia, Sydney, 1974, 7 (colour illus.).

William Splatt (Author), Barbara Burton (Author), 100 masterpieces of Australian painting, Adelaide, 1973, 162, 163 (colour illus.). plate no. 78

Editor Unknown (Editor), Art Gallery of New South Wales picturebook, Domain, 1972, 111 (colour illus.).

Laurie Thomas (Australia, b.1915, d.1974) (Editor), 200 Years of Australian painting, Rushcutters Bay, 1971, 58, 59 (colour illus.).

Robert Hughes (Australia; United States of America, b.1938, d.2012) (Author), The art of Australia, Ringwood, 1970, 174,195-6, 324.

Geoffrey Dutton (Australia, b.1922, d.1998) (Author), Russell Drysdale, London, 1964, 132 (illus.), 187. plate no. 45

Daniel Thomas (Author), Paul Haefliger (Australia, b.1914, d.1982) (Author), Russell Drysdale; a retrospective exhibition of paintings from 1937 to 1960, Sydney, 1960, 29 (colour illus.), 57. plate no. 13; cat.no. 50

Russell Drysdale: retrospective exhibition 1937 - 1960 1960, 1960. cat.no. 50

The Sydney Morning Herald 09 Mar 1959, 09 Mar 1959, 10 (illus.).

Laurie Thomas (Australia, b.1915, d.1974) (Author), Contemporary Australian painters, Ottawa, 1957, (illus.). cat.no. 27; fig.no. 4

'Exhibition reveals vitality in art', by Paul Haefliger pg. 2., The Sydney Morning Herald 16 Nov 1956, 16 Nov 1956.

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Joseph Burke (Australia, b.1913, d.1992) (Author), The paintings of Russell Drysdale: reproducing fifteen plates in colour with an essay by Joseph Burke, Sydney, 1951, 51.

'Australia by an Australian artist: Russell Drysdale's first London show' by author unknown, pg. 1005., The Illustrated London News 16 Dec 1950, 16 Dec 1950, 1005 (illus.).

Russell Drysdale: first exhibition in England, London, 30 Nov 1950, 7. cat.no. 22

Archibald Wynne and Sulman competitions for 1947, Sydney, Jun 1948, 12. cat.no. 35

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The Macquarie Galleries, 19 Bligh Street, Sydney invite you to an exhibition of paintings: Dec 1947, Dec 1947. cat.no. 5

Melbourne Contemporary Artists, Melbourne, Sep 1947. cat.no. 21

Exhibition history (51)

1947 Exhibition, Athenaeum Gallery, 30 Sep 1947–11 Oct 1947.

Christmas 1947, Macquarie Galleries, 10 Dec 1947–24 Dec 1947.

Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman competitions for 1947, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 23 Jan 1948–08 Mar 1948.

Russell Drysdale (1950), The Leicester Galleries, 30 Nov 1950–23 Dec 1950.

A retrospective exhibition of Australian painting, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 25 Sep 1953–25 Oct 1953.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), Winnipeg Art Gallery, Jul 1957–Sep 1957.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), London Public Library and Art Museum, Sep 1957–Oct 1957.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), Art Gallery of Hamilton, Oct 1957–Nov 1957.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), The Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Nov 1957–Dec 1957.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Dec 1957–Jan 1958.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Feb 1958–Mar 1958.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), The Art Gallery of Toronto, Apr 1958 -.

Contemporary Australian Painters (1957), The Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina College, May 1958 -.

Russell Drysdale: a retrospective exhibition of paintings from 1937 to 1960, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 05 Oct 1960–06 Nov 1960.

Russell Drysdale: A retrospective exhibition; paintings 1937-1960 (Queensland Art Gallery), Queensland Art Gallery, 22 Apr 1961–28 May 1961.

Russell Drysdale (Adelaide 1964), John Martin's Auditorium, 04 Mar 1964–21 Mar 1964.

The Australian Landscape 1802-1975, Cultural Palace of the Nationalities, 02 Sep 1975–17 Sep 1975.

The Australian Landscape 1802-1975, Kiangsu Art Gallery, 23 Sep 1975–07 Oct 1975.

The Australian Landscape 1802-1975, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 14 Nov 1975–30 Nov 1975.

Russell Drysdale: paintings 1940-72, S.H. Ervin Gallery, 14 Jun 1985–21 Jul 1985.

Twentieth century Australian masterworks from the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Fred Williams Pilbara series from the collection of CRA Limited, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, 04 Oct 1985–06 Nov 1985.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), S.H. Ervin Gallery, 19 Dec 1986–01 Feb 1987.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, 06 Mar 1987–29 Mar 1987.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), Orange Regional Gallery, 10 Apr 1987–17 May 1987.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), Griffith Regional Art Gallery, 03 Jun 1987–20 Jun 1987.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery, 01 Jul 1987–26 Jul 1987.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), Albury Regional Gallery, 07 Aug 1987–06 Sep 1987.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), Broken Hill City Art Gallery, 18 Sep 1987–26 Oct 1987.

The Wynne prize: an Australian landscape tradition (1987), Tamworth City Gallery, 05 Nov 1987–13 Dec 1987.

The Artists of Hill End, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 29 Jul 1995–17 Sep 1995.

The Artists of Hill End, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, 06 Oct 1995–19 Nov 1995.

The Artists of Hill End, New England Regional Art Museum, 10 Feb 1996–31 Mar 1996.

The Artists of Hill End, Broken Hill City Art Gallery, 19 Apr 1996–26 May 1996.

The Artists of Hill End, City of Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 07 Jun 1996–29 Jul 1996.

Russell Drysdale 1912-1981, National Gallery of Victoria [St Kilda Road], 19 Dec 1997–09 Mar 1998.

Southern Reflections: Ten contemporary Australian artists, Kulturhuset, Stockholm, 13 Mar 1998–19 Apr 1998.

Russell Drysdale 1912-1981, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 27 Mar 1998–10 May 1998.

Russell Drysdale 1912-1981, Queensland Art Gallery, 18 May 1998–28 Jun 1998.

Southern Reflections: Ten contemporary Australian artists, Konstmuseum, Arhus, 01 Jul 1998–30 Aug 1998.

Russell Drysdale 1912-1981, Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, 20 Jul 1998–30 Aug 1998.

Southern Reflections: Ten contemporary Australian artists, Museum Tamminiementie, Helsinki, 01 Sep 1998–30 Sep 1998.

Russell Drysdale 1912-1981, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, 23 Sep 1998–15 Nov 1998.

Southern Reflections: Ten contemporary Australian artists, Konsthallen, Gothenberg, 02 Nov 1998–06 Dec 1998.

Australian icons: twenty artists from the collection, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 04 Aug 2000–03 Dec 2000.

Great collections (2009), Campbelltown Arts Centre, 12 Dec 2008–18 Jan 2009.

Great collections (2009), Tweed River Regional Art Gallery, 06 Feb 2009–15 Mar 2009.

Great collections (2009), Western Plains Cultural Centre, 03 Apr 2009–10 May 2009.

Great collections (2009), Albury Regional Gallery, 29 May 2009–05 Jul 2009.

Great collections (2009), Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 24 Jul 2009–30 Aug 2009.

Australian modern masterpieces from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 05 Oct 2011–27 Nov 2011.

Australian modern masterpieces from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Newcastle Region Art Gallery, 10 Dec 2011–04 Mar 2012.