Sydney
LONG
Australia
1871
–
London
1955
England, Europe 1910-21; Australia 1921- 22; England 1922-25; Australia 1925-52; England from 1952
35.0 (h) x 74.0 (w) cm
signed and dated ‘SID LONG/ 1916’ lower right private collection, courtesy of Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane private collection, courtesy of Philip Bacon Galleries
Over the years, Long returned to the theme of flamingoes, painting the bird in different arrangements, and in various colour schemes. Some are more decorative designs than others. Most are in watercolour. The images were so popular with the Australian public that, during the First World War, Long shipped many paintings of flamingoes to Australia, with funds from their sales helping him survive during those difficult years. In 1919 he wrote to his dealer Aldoph Albers:
Re the Flamingoes I sent you six some little time ago two large ones you say important. Flamingoes in your cable do you want an oil? These are the largest watercolours I can send through the post. An oil I could roll & send.
At this time he said he was planning an etching of flamingoes:
'I am just finishing a large plate of the Pan pictures and have also one going of the Flamingoes replica of one in the Gallery with the figures. I will send you all my proofs as soon as they are done' (Long, 29 October 1919).
The etching of the flamingoes never eventuated. Perhaps this was because Long realised an etching would diminish his opportunity for selling watercolours of the subject.
Over the years, Long returned to the theme of flamingoes, painting the bird in different arrangements, and in various colour schemes. Some are more decorative designs than others. Most are in watercolour. The images were so popular with the Australian public that, during the First World War, Long shipped many paintings of flamingoes to Australia, with funds from their sales helping him survive during those difficult years. In 1919 he wrote to his dealer Aldoph Albers:
Re the Flamingoes I sent you six some little time ago two large ones you say important. Flamingoes in your cable do you want an oil? These are the largest watercolours I can send through the post. An oil I could roll & send.
At this time he said he was planning an etching of flamingoes:
'I am just finishing a large plate of the Pan pictures and have also one going of the Flamingoes replica of one in the Gallery with the figures. I will send you all my proofs as soon as they are done' (Long, 29 October 1919).
The etching of the flamingoes never eventuated. Perhaps this was because Long realised an etching would diminish his opportunity for selling watercolours of the subject.
Over the years, Long returned to the theme of flamingoes, painting the bird in different arrangements, and in various colour schemes. Some are more decorative designs than others. Most are in watercolour. The images were so popular with the Australian public that, during the First World War, Long shipped many paintings of flamingoes to Australia, with funds from their sales helping him survive during those difficult years. In 1919 he wrote to his dealer Aldoph Albers:
Re the Flamingoes I sent you six some little time ago two large ones you say important. Flamingoes in your cable do you want an oil? These are the largest watercolours I can send through the post. An oil I could roll & send.
At this time he said he was planning an etching of flamingoes:
'I am just finishing a large plate of the Pan pictures and have also one going of the Flamingoes replica of one in the Gallery with the figures. I will send you all my proofs as soon as they are done' (Long, 29 October 1919).
The etching of the flamingoes never eventuated. Perhaps this was because Long realised an etching would diminish his opportunity for selling watercolours of the subject.
