A. H. Fullwood

Alexander Oliver; thence by descent
The Block Gallery and Deutscher Galleries, Melbourne
Tom Silver Gallery, Melbourne
Purchased from the above in 1982

Nineteenth and twentieth century Australian art, The Block Gallery (12-27 July) and Deutscher Galleries (29 July-18 August) 1979, cat. 29

UV inspection has confirmed there a 5cm line of retouching in the smoke (upper right) believed possibly in the artist's hand. This work appears in good stable condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This bright, lively coastal impression is a view of the south end of the Terrigal beachfront: the sheds and jetty at Fisherman's Beach. Painted towards the end of Fullwood's two decades in Australia, it is typical of his crisp, direct, square-ended-brush impressionism.

The work is one of a number of pictures associated with Alexander Oliver, barrister, public servant, President of the New South Wales Land Appeal Court and head of the Royal Commission into the siting of the proposed national capital. Oliver was a man of culture – a trustee of the Australian Museum, an art collector and a serious bibliophile – as well as a keen amateur shooter and sailor. Julian Ashton painted Oliver on board his auxiliary yacht Antidote (1895, private collection); Fullwood painted a view of The 'Antidote' in sheltered waters (1895, private collection), and another, closer view of the beach (Terrigal boat harbour, 1896) was sold at Sotheby's in November 2005.

A label on the reverse of the present work states that it was in fact part of the yacht's interior panelling, presumably in the saloon. Given that the work initially descended through the family, it must be presumed that the painted panels were removed prior to the posthumous Art Union lottery through which many of Oliver's effects, including the Antidote, were disposed of.

We are most grateful to Martin Terry for his assistance in cataloguing this work.