George Baldessin is still regarded as one of Australia’s preeminent artists to this day. During his short but influential lifetime he was considered on par with Brett Whiteley, with both artists eschewing the dominant mode of abstraction in favour of lyrical, figurative imagery. Etching for Baldessin represented a field for innovation free of the physical and financial restraints of sculpture.

A bold etching by Baldessin, Performer is a pivotal work in his thematic exploration of performers and the body. The abstracted figure is contorted into a dynamic pose, yet her face remains firmly outward, pinning the viewer with a calculating, challenging gaze. The work recalls the scandalous directness of Édouard Manet’s Olympia, another commanding personage in the history of modernism, situating Baldessin’s figure within a lineage of provocative and confrontational imagery.

Baldessin’s Performer stands as a bold and pivotal etching within his exploration of the human figure and the theatre of performance. For collectors, Performer represents not only a striking example of Baldessin’s technical mastery and thematic depth, but also a rare opportunity to acquire a work that embodies his enduring contribution to Australian modernism.

George BALDESSIN (1939 - 1978)
''Performer' for Alison' 1968
coloured etching and aquatint on paper
Image Size: 30 x 50 cm
Dimensions: 58 x 74 cm
Signed: Signed, titled dated, and editioned 'Ed. 25 'Performer' for Alison George Baldessin 68' under image
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Literature: Kolenberg., J., George Baldessin Estate: Prints 1963 - 1978, Australian Galleries, Melbourne, 1997, p.46, cat.163 (illus., another example). Lindsay, R. & Holloway, M., George Baldessin: Sculpture and Etchings, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1983, p.72, cat.51 (another example). Edquist., H., George Baldessin: Paradox & Persuasion, Australian Galleries, Melbourne, 2009, p.139 (illus. p.138, another example).
Condition: The work is in fair condition consistent with the age and materials used by the artist. There is discolouration evident across the surface of the work, and there is what appears to be staining along the right-hand-side of the paper support and below the margin. The work is in stable condition. While we have thoroughly outlined the faults, conservation is straightforward and a good outcome is likely. We can also assist with paper preservation if desired: this would involve washing the sheet in a chemical bath to deacidify the paper and restore its alkaline balance. Importantly, there are no tears or abrasions to the paper’s surface.
Condition: Fair: Work of art that is intact but requires restoration, re-framing or some repair.

(c) George Baldessin / Copyright Agency