John William Tristram (1872-1938) w/color seascape

John William Tristram (1872-1938)

Well listed watercolorist

Seascape

Offered for sale is this small, exceptionally well framed, watercolor by J.W. Tristram, depicting a seascape

It’s not hard to find out information on Tristram. The subscription database, ArtRecord.com, lists him as

John William TRISTRAM: Born in New South Wales in 1872, Tristram worked as an architect with the New South Wales government and as a landscape artist, usually in watercolour, in his spare time. His works are represented in several state and provincial collections. He died in 1938.

It lists 288 of his w/colors for $206,848.00 an average price of $718.00 each. The problem with averages like this is that they records sales for $75.00 back in 1973 – I note that the last 4 sales were for similarly sized pictures for over a $1,000.00 each (acknowledgements to ArtRecord.com).

Google entries on Tristram reveal

• Bonhams & Goodman, 30/10/06, two small w/color, estimate $800-1200.00 each
• Joels, 24/8/2008, w/color estimate $800-1200.00
• An entry from the Public Library of Victoria, viewable at www.slv.vic.gov.au/artpam/0/3/3/pdf/ar0334.pdf, showing a copy of a catalogue for a show held at the Fine Arts Society of Victoria  in 1921. This also has a very good biography
• His entry in the Dictionary of Australian Artists Online is just a brief stub.

Tristram also has an entry in “The New McCullough Encyclopedia OF Australia Art”, Miegumyah Press, 2006.

TRISTRAM, John William (b.1972, ? Sydney; d. 1938.

Painter, architect, poet, musician

STUDIES. Probably Royal Art Society School (evening glasses), c. 1894. In 19886, aged 14, he entered the office of the Government Architect of NSW and practiced art in his spare time. He also studied music and contributed poetry to the Sydney press. Painted at Manly, Narrabeen, Broken Bay and other coastal areas, his watercolors have an art nouveau, romantic character, some depicting mermaids, centaurs and other mythological beaings emerging from the mists. He is said to have influenced J. J. Hilder

REPRESENTED. Art Gallery NSW, Art Gallery SA, National Gallery of Victoria, regional galleries Bendigo, Hamilton, Newscastle.

In summary, a well recognized watercolorist of a bygone era, who prices seem to be increasing steadily over recent years, and who is obviously collectible for investment reasons.

This painting was purchased at auction (Antique & Fine Arts, Brisbane, 13/9/09) and I have no further provenance. It is signed, faintly, “J.W. Tristram 1916” at the bottom left (can be made out in my photo through the glass). It is very well framed, with 3 mattes, an outer cream, an inner dark blue, then an off white matte. I have not pulled this apart, as it’s in mint condition. There is no framers stamp on the back. The frame is wooden, with plastic/rubber filigree bits glued onto the corners, both it and the frame being double sprayed with a gold and grey mixture. Obviously very professionally framed. The painting is a misty seascape, with a row of rocks in the foreground, and a headland or two in the background, waves breaking etc.

The frame size is 40 by 52 cms., the image size is 13 by 26.5 cms. This is relatively light, and I can post this around Australia, well packed with secure boards to protect the glass, with Australia Post for $25.00. PayPal is my preferred payment option.

Please have a look at my other paintings in my store, Gallerie_E