BROOKES, DAYSI M. (1888-1981)

"Young Lady With Fan" (c.1920)
gouache on card
8 x 6cm
signed lower right
*private collection, Sydney
 
Brookes is a forgotten, important British-Australian Miniaturist. Born in Norwich, England, Daysi was the daughter of H.J. Brookes, Fellow of the Royal College Of Organists, who was based at Norwich Cathedral. She began training in miniatures very early in life. Daysi arrived in Sydney in 1915 and worked in the Fox Photographic Studios, where she painted portraits and coloured photographs. Fox Studios were taken over by Monte Luke in the early 1920s. Daysi became a prominent miniature painter around this time. She joined the Australian Art Society & Royal Art Society, where she exhibited her miniatures regularly from 1919-1943. She was also the sole Australian-based member of the esteemed, exclusive London Society Of Miniaturists. At the time there were only two members in the Southern Hemisphere, reflecting the respect and admiration of her peers. She was the subject of a British Pathe newsreel entitled "Ivory Paintings" (1956). Her studio overlooked the Sydney Harbour at McMahon's Point. She generally worked from life (usually approx. 3 sittings), working primarily on ivory. She was a regular finalist in the Archibald Prize with her miniatures during World War II. The artist was known for her portrait commissions of many notable & famous people, including King Edward VIII, King George VI, Marie Tempest, Sir Alfred Munnings, Pauline Frederick, John Charles Thomas, Vivian Della Chiesa and the Ranee of Pudakota. Her works are very RARE, many were exhibited in England and some are represented in various important Institutions such as the AGNSW & Wollongong Art Gallery.