Michael Leunig was an iconic Australian cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher and poet, best known for his cartoons published in the Sydney Morning Herald and Age newspapers over 55 years. Spanning the political, cultural and philosophical, his visual world was one of whimsy, wit and a deep humanity.

‘SEND PICS CLEAN AND DIRTY TO NATION REVIEW…’, drawn in the 1970s, is an early cartoon from Leunig’s time at the Nation Review – a progressive newspaper that ran from 1972 to 1981. Helping to launch the careers of writers like Phillip Adams and Germaine Greer, Nation Review self-styled itself as “The Ferret” – “lean and nosey”. It was where Leunig got his start, then a young and daring drawer.

As special as it is rare, ‘SEND PICS CLEAN AND DIRTY TO NATION REVIEW’ is a jewel for admirers of Leunig, dreamers and collectors of important works on paper. It is a humorous vestige from a moment in Australian publishing history, provenanced from the Leunig family’s private collection.

Michael LEUNIG (1945 - 2024)
'SEND PICS CLEAN AND DIRTY TO NATION REVIEW...' c. 1970s
ink on paper
Image Size: 10 x 8 cm
Paper Dimensions: 28 x 15 cm
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Stamped with date of creation verso: 10 Aug 1985 and inscribed with 85-28746. Inscribed in margin: P 20; Page 14 delete border.
Condition: Very Good: Slight smudges commensurate with the materiality of the work and reflective of the artist's process. There are no tears to paper margin.

(c) The Artist or Assignee