NORMAN LINDSAY’S DRAWINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21531, 31 December 1931, Page 2

NORMAN LINDSAY’S DRAWINGS

“ Norman Lindsay’s Pen Drawings ” is the title of a volume which, with all the attraction of technical excellence in pictorial reproduction and printing for which that firm has an established reputation, comes fresh from the publishing department of Art in Australia, Ltd. Norman Lindsay’s work has been more or less prominently before the public for a good many years, and it should be unnecessary here to enlarge upon its general characteristics. That it constitutes a controversial topic the ..veil-informed, quite understand. Argument as to its merits or its limitations can .therefore serve little purpose. Norman' Lindsay .is what may be, termed a provocative artist. His admirers permit their enthusiasm to. reach a high level. Those who criticise him unfavourably are scarcely less reserved in their expression of distaste for the uses to which he turns his 'jHHiant gifts. It all becomes a question of point of view and choice of subject matter, and whether for better or worse Norman Lindsay elects to go unconcernedly his own way, revelling in extravaganzas in the nude and the weird, thus . limiting hig appeal no doubt, and offending some who deem that art should serve what they conceive to be loftier purposes, but treading consistently at all events the path of originality and individuality. Speaking generally, one feels constrained to suggest that overmuch harping on one theme, whatever it may Imj, is apt to become wearisome. It would be uncommonly interesting to see this gifted Australian working for a change along the more traditional lines of everyday, as distinct from the fastastie, which greater artists than he have not disdained to tread. The results might be very compensating. As it is, that Norman Lindsay occupies a peculiar and somewhat isolated position among artists of the day —we need not say of Australia or of the Empire—will be as readily conceded as that he is an exceptional draughtsman and designer, and the possessor in an unusual degree of the imaginative faculty. The plates in this book include many that appeared in an earlier publication now out of print, to which have been added many later pen drawings. As an illustrator Norman Lindsay can reach masterful heights. There is nothing more powerful in this volume, for example, than his illustrations of the poems of Villon or of Francis Thompson’s poem, “ Tom o’_ Bedlam.” Art connoisseurs will delight in the size, and clarity of the plates in this publication—there are 64 of them in all — ns well as in the manner in which the artist’s remarkable technique lends itself to repx-oduction, and will no doubt hasten to add it to their library. Convention, even, if still affecting to be a little outraged, will probably be also interested. The introductory article, giving some account of Norman Lindsay’s career and a key to his outlook, is by his brother, Lionel Lindsay.