BRETT WHITELEY (1939-1992)

In 1974 Brett and Wendy purchased their house in Lavender Bay, and the works painted during this period are some of Whiteley's most celebrated. The present drawing, dated circa 1976, brings together the nude and Lavender Bay, both themes which Whiteley continued to explore until his death in 1992; 'From [the 1960s] nudes, principally inspired by Wendy, appeared consistently in Whiteley's work for the next three decades - in notebooks, easel drawings and large scale paintings - culminating in an exhibition devoted to the subject in Sydney in 1981.' (B. Pearce, Brett Whiteley Art & Life, Sydney, 1995, p.110) Whiteley has also included himself in the composition: 'there is nearly always a little disturbance in [the Lavender Bay works], like a pebble striking a still pond, be it the vibrating contours of a chair, or ghost lines indicating that someone was in the space just a few seconds ago; or maybe the presence of the artist himself, drawing at the edge of the composition, peering into his cage. Unlike Matisse, Whiteley never emptied his ego completely from such subjects." (B. Pearce, op. cit., p.35)

This work will be included in the forthcoming Brett Whiteley catalogue raisonné being compiled by Kathie Sutherland.