Brett Whiteley is an icon of Australian art. Often fusing the abstract and the figurative, calm and chaos, Whiteley creates emotionally heightened worlds of ballooning forms and elongated figures. His imagery is always immediate, reflective of his pursuit for “beauty which can best be described as being on time for the appointment.”

In his striking 1982 work 'Garden in Rome', Whiteley creates a compelling, and unexpected composition. In front of the viewer, the landscape unfolds in delicate detail - each natural element layered in exquisite coordination. In the foreground of Whiteley's work lies an artist's paper, an element which knowingly suggests the artists process, allowing us to assume his own personal perspective. Although large in scale, there is something quietly intimate about this work - a small moment from Whiteley's life, captured lovingly through his unique artistic vision.

Whiteley’s work is represented across Australian public collections and internationally at the Tate Gallery in London and MoMA in New York. An adjunct of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, his studio has become a permanent public gallery. For collector’s of important Australian art, Whiteley is a prize.

Brett WHITELEY (1939 - 1992)
'Garden in Rome' 1982
Coloured etching, aquatint and collage
Edition of 30
Image Size: 109 x 78 cm
Dimensions: 225 x 105 x 6 cm
Signed: Signed lower right: brett Whiteley, numbered lower left: 2/30, artist's monogram upper right.

Comes with Letter of Provenance

Exhibited: Brett Whiteley: The Complete Graphics 1961-1982, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, 1983 (another example). Brett Whiteley Review of Prints 1976-1983, Chapman Gallery, Canberra, 1983, cat.18 (another example).

References: Mandy, R., Brett Whiteley: The Complete Graphics, 1961-1982, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, 1983, p.48, cat.69 (illus., another example). Brett Whiteley: The Graphics 1961-1992, Deutscher Fine Art, Melbourne, 1995, p.113, cat.71 (illus. p.75, another example). Sutherland, K., Brett Whiteley Catalogue Raisonne, Schwartz Publishing, Melbourne, 2020, vol.5, p.140, cat.119P, (illus., another example) vol.7, p.833
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) Brett Whiteley / Copyright Agency