(P) Cedric Emanuel Watercolour 'Hydra, Greek Islands'

Hydra, Greek Islands
Watercolours and ink on paper - Circa 1970s
PROVENANCE: This piece was sourced from the artist’s estate and comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by a descendant of the artist.
SIZE: Image: 29.5 x 25.5 cm -  Frame: 50 x 46cm

MARKINGS  Signed and inscribed lower right: "Hydra / Greek Island / Cedric Emanuel".
CONDITION  This artwork is in excellent condition with no foxing evident. A new frame has been fitted. This artwork was difficult to photograph because of reflections from the glass.

An investment-grade artwork, this original watercolour painting by the renowned Australian artist Cedric Emanuel is certain to enliven any wall in the home or office.  Created on textured paper during one of the artist's working trips to the Greek Islands, this large artwork depicts a magnificant, character-filled hillside lined with traditional white-walled houses with their terracotta rooftops, as well as a historic church bell in the foreground.  Emanuel's choice of colours and skilful illustration of shadows in this scene engulf us in this inviting, serene scene.  The large scope of the painting gives it further impact.

Cedric Raymond Emanuel (1906 - 1995) was born in Gisborne, New Zealand and arrived in Australia in 1908. He studied under Dattilo Rubbo, Royal Art Society and at the Julian Ashton Art School with William Dobell.  He learnt the art of etching under one of Australia's greatest etchers, Sydney Long.  At his first exhibition in 1938, his etchings received high critical acclaim: two were purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and another won the Sesquicentenary Art Award.

He became Australia's best known pen and pencil sketcher, having illustrated more than fifty sketchbooks. He has painted numerous portraits of early and historic buildings, towns and Australian characters.  As such, he is considered to have great significance as a visual historian, his work providing a unique historical record unmatched even by some photographic collections.  In particular, his passion was for the terraced houses of Sydney, notably in the suburbs of Paddington and Woolloomooloo.  In 1981, his services to Australian art were recognised when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Emanuel is also well known for the pencil sketches and watercolours he completed during his many working holidays overseas.  His favourite destinations were the quaint, historic localities and townships across Europe, and he travelled abroad almost every three years from the 1950s until the 1970s.  Many of his watercolours created in Europe bear a striking resemblance to the European work of that other great Australian master, Sir Lionel Lindsay.

Today his sketches and etchings reside in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Art Gallery of Victoria, and hundreds of private collections in Australia and abroad.  His tightly held sketches rarely surface on the art market, but can occasionally be found at Josef Lebovic Gallery in Sydney, where etchings sell from $660 and sketches from $1,350.