COATES, GEORGE (1869-1930)

Standing Nude" (c.1900) 
pencil on paper
cm
signed lower right
*private collection, Sydney
 
George Coates ROI was a respected Australian War Artist. He started his art career in a stained glass workshop, attending classes with Frederick McCubbin at the National Gallery school at night. He was soon teaching his own classes in Swanston Street, his students including Norman Lindsay, Max Meldrum & George Bell. In 1895-96 he studied under L Bernard Hall, & he won a travelling scholarship to London in 1896. In Paris in 1898 his paintings were exhibited on the line at the Old Salon, & he renewed an acquaintance with Dora Meeson. He became a member of the Royal Academy, a member of the Chelsea Arts Club & one of the city's pre-eminent portrait painters. He served in a hospital during WWI, & was an Official War Artist on behalf of the AWM. Devastated by the sudden loss of her husband, Dora continued to promote his work vigorously, & as a result they are both represented in many important institutions.