Pics from the Past | Shepparton’s boy genius artist

I had never heard of his name before and my curiosity was piqued to further research his life and see whether he became a well-known artist, or not.

I will reveal his name and more of his life next week but have given you a sample of his circa-1940s work shown here.

Quite a talent as you can see.

Here is a snippet from one of the articles:

SHEPPARTON’S BOY ARTIST

Australians should recognise genius.

Shepparton has already given one great artist to the world in the person of Mr John Longstaff.

Kings and queens and lesser lights have been pleased to sit in his studio.

Fame should be hovering over young (name redacted), whose genius has already been referred to in these columns; and now that the large picture poster (22 feet by six feet) upon which he has ceaselessly worked during the past two weeks is completed, one is able to form an idea of the originality and daring of this young artist, and the magic art of blending colours that he has achieved.

It would reflect honour upon Shepparton to recognise his talents, and to take such steps as are necessary to have his artistic abilities more fittingly developed.

In about 1972 he did an oral history interview and he mentioned Shepparton’s own famous painter, Sir John Longstaff (1861-1941) and how impressed he was with the man and his work.

Ralph Longstaff, his father, was a storekeeper in Shepparton from 1874 and after eight years working in the business Sir John went to work in Melbourne and eventually enrolled in the art school at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Sir John went on to win five Archibald Prizes (portraiture) and his 1935 winning painting of Banjo Paterson is shown here.

I am not sure whether our teenage art genius and Sir John Longstaff ever met but they could well have done so.

To be continued next week.