1893 – 1973

Reginald ‘Rex’ Ernest Battarbee is a notable figure in the history of Australian landscape painting, famous for his support of the Hermannsburg School. Battarbee was raised on the land in Warrnambool as the youngest of five children. Upon his return to Victoria, following the First World War, Battarbee’s farming career changed pace, with his injuries leading him to take up art.

Battarbee became best known for his mastery over watercolours, recognised by the 1934 Melbourne Centenary Prize for watercolours, despite lacking formal training. His passion for painting emerged after travelling through the Australian outback, with much of his landscapes emphasising the raw beauty of Australian nature. In 1934, Battarbee showed his works to the Hermannsburg Mission school, introducing him to Albert Namatjira, who would become a close companion and student of his. Battarbee’s relationship with Arrernte artists like Namatjira became essential to the development of the Hermannsburg style.  

The relationship between Battarbee and Namatjira was the guiding force behind the Hermannsburg School’s style. Significantly, these artists exchanged cross-cultural knowledge. As Battarbee taught Namatjira his knowledge of watercolours, Namatjira in turn guided Battarbee through his ancestral Country. By bridging cultural divides, this partnership enabled a generation of Aboriginal artists to depict Country on their own terms, wielding Western techniques to depict their innate understanding of the land.

Battarbee remains an important satellite artist to the history of Australian landscape painting. Battarbee’s works are featured in the collections of several major Australian institutions, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A Batterbee work constitutes an understated and sophisticated addition to any collector of Australian landscape paintings.