ARTHUR MERRIC BLOOMFIELD BOYD (1920-1999)

The present canvas was painted by Boyd for Ann Rosenthal, the wife of publisher and art historian Dr. Tom Rosenthal (1935–2014). It was one of two copies painted by Boyd for Tom and Ann Rosenthal to replace Boyd's original (The Expulsion,1947-48; oil on hardboard, Art Gallery of New South Wales), which had been purchased by Rosenthal from Boyd in the 1960s. The original painting was subsequently sold by Rosenthal to a collector, on the understanding it was destined for a public collection in Australia (the Art Gallery of New South Wales subsequently acquired the work in 1986). Tom Rosenthal's copy was sold some years ago, and this is the second copy, painted for Ann.

Amongst other books, Rosenthal published Franz Philipp’s Arthur Boyd (London, Thames & Hudson, 1967), the first monograph on the artist, and later published Ursula Hoff’s The Art of Arthur Boyd (London, André Deutsch, 1986) for which he wrote the introduction. In this he described The Expulsion 1947-48 as 'based on a treatment by Masaccio, in turn inspired by an idea from Genesis. The expulsion is of course that of Adam and Eve, and while Masaccio's angel is a sword-wielding avenger, Boyd's brandishes a whip and is seen more as a voyeur – outraged but, like all the breed, secretly enjoying the experience. Adam and Eve are terrified and, in a curious way, almost asexual, as if perfect fear has driven out desire.' (T. G. Rosenthal, ‘Introduction’ in U. Hoff, The Art of Arthur Boyd, London, 1986, p.17) Rosenthal became good friends with Arthur Boyd, as well as Sidney Nolan (about whom we wrote Sidney Nolan, London, Thames &Hudson, 2002), Charles Blackman, David and Hermia Boyd and other leading figures in the Australian art world who came through London in the 1960s.

We are grateful to Ann Rosenthal and her son Daniel Rosenthal for their assistance with this catalogue entry.