Originally created as Christmas cards for his loved ones, Eric Thake’s linocut prints soon drew attention beyond his mailing list. He decided to pull additional limited editions of each design, allowing his fellow Australians to collect them. Each work observed a changing nation infused with the artist’s unique sense of humour, critique and poeticism, appealing to institutions and individuals alike. 

Dated 1963, ‘“–in the nude! Oh, Mr. Thake”’ is a delightfully absurd image. In it, a dodo feigns shyness while an artist captures her form. It is a play on life drawing, coquettishness and what counts as nude. With striking simplicity, Thake tells a joke and crafts a character. 

Represented across numerous public collections, including at the National Gallery of Australia, ‘“–in the nude! Oh, Mr. Thake”’ is a museum-quality work. It speaks to Thake’s remarkable vision, Australian modernism and the friendship between an artist and scholar. With strikingly excellent provenance, it is a prize for collectors of modernist art. 

Eric THAKE (1904 - 1982)
'“—in the nude! Oh, Mr. Thake”' 1963
linocut on paper
Edition of 40
Image Size: 21 x 14 cm
Dimensions: 30 x 23 cm
Signed: Titled, numbered, signed 'Eric Thake' and dated '963 in pencil in margin below image
Comes with Letter of Provenance

3 impressions of this print have been collected by the National Gallery of Australia (accession numbers; 66.19, 72.206 and 73.257.24). 1 impression has been collected by the Art Gallery of South Australia (accession number; 20172G39). 

This print was exhibited in 'Australia Prints Today', held at the Museum of History in Washington USA from July to September 1966. 

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) The Artist or Assignee