Sidney Nolan’s ‘Flower and Jug’ (c. 1950) is an image of elegance. From an ovoid portal rear delicate blooms, awash in a translucent brown ink. It is an example of the artist’s experimentation with medium and form, drifting between abstraction and figuration to enigmatic effect.

While this work is dated c. 1950, Nolan returned recurrently to the flower motif. In 1968, he commenced a series of over 700 florals inspired by the rare sight of Central Australia in full bloom after rain and the Mexican muralists that were installed at the National Gallery of Victoria as part of its Bicentenary exhibition of Australian art. The same sequence was then exhibited at the Tate, London, before being gifted to the Victorian Arts Centre.

At once signifiers of life and transience, Nolan’s florals are achingly delicate. They are testaments to beauty and nature, miracles for collectors of Nolan, florals and important works on paper.

Sidney NOLAN (1917 - 1992)
'Flower and Jug' c. 1950
mixed media on paper
Image Size: 63 x 52 cm
Framed Dimensions: 78 x 72 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.

(c) Sidney Nolan / Copyright Agency