NERLI, GIROLAMO (1860-1926)

"Flower Girl" (c.1890) 
oil on board
32 x 22cm
signed lower left
*private collection, Sydney
 
Nerli was an influential Italian-expat Impressionist, who experienced fame and success in Australia and New Zealand in the late 19th century. Born in Siena in Italy to an Italian aristocrat, he studied art in Florence under Antonio Ciseri & Giovanni Muzzioli, & was a younger member of the Macchiaioli school, the 'patch painters', an Italian movement anticipating French Impressionism. He went to Australia in 1885 spending time in Melbourne & Sydney where he was an associate of Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton & an influence on Charles Conder at the time of the Heidelberg School. Nerli's role in that movement has been disputed but his presence & influence are undeniable. He caused a sensation in Melbourne in late 1887 with his exhibition of paintings of bacchanalian orgies & his portrait of Myra Kemble the actress attracted much attention at the exhibition of the Royal Art Society at Sydney. The free brushwork & unfinished appearance of the works were as exciting to connoisseurs as the subjects were to the general public. In 1893 Nerli moved to Dunedin, NZ, where he set himself up as a private art teacher. 'Signor Nerli' remained in the city for 3 years. He taught the legendary Frances Hodgkins, & reportedly had an affair with young artist, Grace Joel. In 1893 Nerli was elected to the council of the Otago Art Society & in 1894 set up the Otago Art Academy. He was also an instructor at the Dunedin School of Art. In 1896, he opened a studio in Auckland & exhibited at the Auckland Society of Arts. Nerli & his wife returned to Europe in 1904 where the artist spent the rest of his life, struggling against declining fortunes, between London & Genoa in Italy. Nerli brought something of the new influences emerging in Europe to the Australasian art scene, helping to shift the direction of Australian & NZ art. He is represented in all major Australian & NZ National Galleries, & even the Scottish National Gallery. The Dunedin Art Gallery held a major retrospective in 1988.