George Baldessin is one of Australia’s preeminent artists. During his lifetime, he was regarded on par with Brett Whiteley, with both artists rejecting the dominant mode of abstraction in favour of lyrical, figurative imagery.

Baldessin’s practice explored existentialism, sexuality, boundaries, and fractured identity. Figures recur throughout his work, often distorted, concealed, or veiled in shadow. Mystery and ambiguity permeate his imagery, lending it both psychological depth and visual drama.

Walkers II depicts two figures in motion, stripped back yet resonant, evoking a sense of passage and impermanence. Rare to market, this work is also held in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, underscoring its importance within Baldessin’s oeuvre.

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

With Walkers II, Baldessin conveys both vulnerability and dignity, using distortion and drama to amplify tension and movement. Its rarity and institutional recognition make it a compelling acquisition for collectors of significant works on paper and Australian modernism.

George BALDESSIN (1939 - 1978)
'Walkers II' 1966
etching and aquatint
Edition of 25
Image Size: 20 x 30 cm
Dimensions: 81 x 63 x 5 cm
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Other impressions of this print are held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Australia Accession no: 75.406.
Condition: Good: Describes the average used work of art, where the image is in good condition. The margin may need to be framed out due to markings, corner wear, dog ear, small tears or if framed, the frame may have minor damage.

(c) George Baldessin / Copyright Agency