In the subject of lovers, modernist Arthur Boyd found fertile ground. They expressed the persecution of Aboriginal people in his iconic ‘Bride’ series, were symbols for humanism and illuminated his own romantic life. In 1942, when Boyd was conscripted into the Australian army, he snuck out one night to lie beneath the stars with his love, Yvonne. The following morning, the couple awoke to find themselves on the precipice of a crevasse, in trouble with the soldiers.

Boyd resented the military for invading his personal life. A moment shared between lovers, he believed, was intensely precious: “I see lovers as victims. They suffer from being unprivate, watched.” Emanating a magnetic energy, ‘Lovers’, created the year before Boyd died, evokes this precarity and preciousness. Against a brilliant blue erupt thrashes of white; perhaps Boyd’s his lovers, so often captured on boats, are in rocky waters. Yet, despite the turbulence that surrounds, they remain fused, destined to be together. 

Boyd is an icon of Australian art. He is represented in all state collections and has been honoured with numerous exhibitions, including a major 1993 retrospective at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. An original hand-signed etching created with master printmaker Max Miller, ‘Lovers’ will delight collectors of Boyd and Modernism and the romantic within. 

Arthur BOYD (1920 - 1999)
'Lovers' 1998
etching on paper
Edition of 80
Image Size: 30 x 45 cm
Dimensions: 53 x 75 cm
Signed: Numbered, titled and signed 'Arthur Boyd' lower margin. Embossed with East Kangaloon seal lower right.
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition is 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) Arthur Boyd / Copyright Agency 2024

Work of art illustrated is a representative work from the edition. Any number from the edition may be supplied.

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