Australian modernist Dorothy Braund pursued simplicity. It, in her own words, “knocked” her out – “There’s no chance for accidental effects. If you are simple everything has to relate and work”. This preoccupation led her to compose images more musical than visual, hymns about people, places and activities.

In ‘Bathers’ she paints a family on holiday. Grouped at the water’s edge, slightly hunched and shrouded under voluminous hats, Braund depiction is told with a wry smile. The great Australian pastime of hitting the beach is pared back to fleshy, warming boulders – anonymous land animals caught unawares.

In 1964, art critic Bernard Shaw described Braund’s work as lively, “linked with a shrewd and civilised eye for the bizarre and comical” – simple, does not always necessitate seriousness. In fact, by seeing the world as an orchestra of forms, Braund detected its notes of absurdity, vulnerability, warmth and beauty like few others.

Represented across state collections, Braund is an important part of Australian modernism. She was a member of George Bell’s School, the only woman to exhibit alongside Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd and others in 1953 and as Shaw noted, “masterly in her own way”. For collectors of modern art and work by women, she is a must.

Dorothy BRAUND (1926 - 2013)
'Bathers'
Watercolour on paper
Image Size: 20 x 28 cm
Dimensions: 49 x 54 x 4 cm
Comes with Letter of Provenance

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.

© The Artist or Assignee