Sidney Robert Nolan Australian artist Date of Birth: 22.04.1917 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Sidney Robert Nolan
2. Ned Kelly Series and Artistic Influences
3. Artistic Career and Recognition

Biography of Sidney Robert Nolan

Sidney Robert Nolan, an Australian artist, was born in 1917 in Carlton, a suburb of Melbourne. He was the eldest of four children in his family. At the age of 14, Sidney completed his education at Brighton Technical School and then enrolled in a technical college. By the age of 16, Sidney started working and at 17, he began attending evening art classes at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School.

In 1938, Nolan married for the first time, but the marriage was not strong and he and Elizabeth separated. It is known that during the 1930s, Nolan considered Sunday Reed, a well-known patron of Australian art, as his muse, although their romantic relationship was never officially recognized due to Reed's marriage. Nolan married for the second time in 1948 to Cynthia, the sister of John Reed, Sunday Reed's husband. In 1978, Mary Boyd became Nolan's third wife.

Ned Kelly Series and Artistic Influences

During World War II, Nolan deserted the army and went into hiding. It was during this time that he painted the first works of his most famous series, 'Ned Kelly'. Ned Kelly, an Irishman, was a notorious Australian outlaw and a folk hero in the 19th century. This character inspired Nolan to create a series of paintings that are considered masterpieces of 20th-century Australian art. One of Nolan's paintings from the series, 'First-Class Marksman', sold for a record-breaking 5.4 million Australian dollars in 2010.

Nolan was influenced by surrealism and artists such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Matisse. He developed his own unique style of painting. Nolan's method of working involved creating a strong emotional connection with the subject and quickly capturing it on canvas before rational thinking could interfere. His paintings are often figurative and known for their original and contemporary use of color.

Artistic Career and Recognition

Nolan's paintings are grouped into series such as 'Africa', 'Australia', and 'Antarctica'. He traveled extensively, creating artworks in various locations around the world. In 1951, Nolan moved to London, where he gained recognition for his series of paintings parodying the depiction of nude figures and the attempts of impressionist artists to capture fleeting moments in life.

Throughout his career, Nolan created thousands of works, including oil paintings on canvas and numerous prints. He held over 50 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions. He is rightfully considered one of Australia's most prominent contemporary artists. Nolan received a knighthood for his contribution to Australian art and was the recipient of many awards and international honors.

Sidney Robert Nolan passed away on November 28, 1992, at the age of 75 in London. His famous quote, "When you are young, you see life in its bright side because you are still close to birth," continues to resonate with art enthusiasts around the world.