ELDERSHAW, JOHN ROY (1892-1973)

“Bridge At Wannon, V.I.C.” (1939)
Oil on canvas
90 x 105cm
Signed lower right
*exhibited at Academy Of Art, Australia, Melbourne, 1939
*exhibited at Velasquez Gallery, Melbourne, 1940
*donated to Australian Red Cross Society, 1940
*private collection, Sydney
 
Eldershaw studied art under the instruction of Julian Ashton in Sydney and at the Central School of Art, London. He painted mainly landscapes in watercolour, which were exhibited at the Royal Academy London and in Paris. A prolific painter, he had over 50 exhibitions of his work around the world. Eldershaw was a member of the NSW Society of Artists, the Australian Art Association and the Australian Watercolour Institute of which he was President 1945 – 1951. He was a wartime artist and was a camouflage officer in the RAAF in Victoria. Eldershaw was commissioned by the Duke of Gloucester while the Duke was Governor General to paint a number of “Australian landscapes”. His work is described as fresh, broad and vigorous, but varied according to subject, mood and desired effect. Eldershaw’s works have been purchased by all the important Art Galleries in Australia and many of his paintings have gone overseas.
 
This rare, impressive oil painting was exhibited at the Australian Academy Of Art in April 1939 (no.97) at the National Gallery of Victoria where The Age called it "a brilliant sunlit picture rich in glinting shadows and still reflections". It was then exhibited at the Velasquez Gallery in Melbourne in Nov 1940 (no.44) of which The Argus said "the impression is almost pure". From the latter, this painting was donated to the Australian Red Cross Society!!