George Baldessin is one of Australia’s leading modern artists. His work explored existentialism, sexuality, boundaries, and fractured identity. Figures recur throughout his practice, often biomorphic and contorted, their faces partially obscured, imbued with a sense of mystery. The World of Tinsel depicts an elongated, stylised figure reaching toward the unattainable.

He has been honoured with retrospectives at Heide Museum of Modern Art and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. His works are represented in all major state and regional collections, as well as internationally at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. He is perhaps best known for his iconic brass pears at the National Gallery of Australia.

'The World of tinsel' is a museum-quality work, rare to market, with an impression held in the National Gallery of Australia. Through vulnerability, distortion, and dramatic form, Baldessin conveys human sensibility with dignity. Combining technical mastery and expressive power, this work represents a compelling acquisition for collectors of important works on paper and Australian modernism.

George BALDESSIN (1939 - 1978)
'The world of tinsel' 1966
etching, aquatint and coloured stencil on paper
Edition of 10
Image Size: 50 x 30 cm
Dimensions: 72 x 50 cm
Signed: 5/10 George Baldessin 66 and embossed stamp in margin
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Related works:
Other impressions of this print are held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Australia Accession no: 75.413 

Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to paper or frame. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to the paint surface.

(c) George Baldessin / Copyright Agency