“LUMINOSITY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 16

“LUMINOSITY”

TREND OF MODERN ART SUCCESS OF SELF-TAUGHT MAN (Special to THE SUN.) SYDNEY. What are painters after now? Extreme luminosity. The old masters did everything possible in dark tones, and the present-day artists are painting everything in a high key, but always with attention to the proper values. There is intense sincerity in the modern movement, but, as some are going different ways to get what they are after, it is rather baffling at times. This is the opinion of Miss Agnes Goodsir, a. distinguished artist who has returned to Australia after some years abroad. “Who are selling?” she continued. “The extreme modernists. The rage at the moment is a Dutch painter. Von Dougen, who paints brilliant portraits in the glare of electric light. “There is also a big demand for the Work of Rosseau, a Custom House officer, who could only paint on Sundays. A self-taught painter, he worked away arid remained unknown for about 40 years. As ho never exhibited, the discovery of his remarkable talent was accidental. “Australia is a most paintable country. There are exquisite effects of light. I have seen nothing more beautiful than the sunsets here.” Miss Goodsir shares the distinction with Bessie Gibson, of South Australia, of being a member of the New Salon, the only Australian women who have gained this honour. She has painted many portraits in Paris, one of her recent sitters being Count Tolstoy, the son of the famous writer. “In London the Royal Academy,” she added, “bars women from gaining honours, but Paris gives a chance to